Ieuan Evans to stand down as British and Irish Lions chair on Wednesday

Ieuan Evans will step away from the top of the British and Irish Lions on Wednesday 21 October. His term ends that day, almost four years after he took the job in 2022, and the touring side has started looking for a new chair before its first women's tour, to New Zealand in 2027.

The 62-year-old former Wales captain and wing leaves soon after a successful tour. He was tour manager in 2025, when Andy Farrell's side won the series in Australia.

His time as chair also brought changes away from the field. Evans oversaw governance reforms, including the appointment of independent directors to the board.

"It has been an enormous privilege to serve as chair of the British & Irish Lions," Evans said.

Three tours as a player

Evans played for the Lions long before he ran them. He toured Australia in 1989, New Zealand in 1993 and South Africa in 1997. On the first of those trips, he scored the try that clinched the series in the third Test against Australia.

Lions chief executive Ben Calveley paid tribute to the departing chair. "His infectious passion for the Lions and understanding of what makes this organisation so special has been evident throughout his time in the role," Calveley said.