The British & Irish Lions is pleased to announce three key appointments to the performance and operations team ahead of the 2027 Howden Lions Women’s Tour, with Charlie Hayter joining as General Manager of High Performance, Josie Symonds appointed Head of Athletic Performance and Eimear Flannery named Head of Operations.
Charlie Hayter joins the Lions on secondment from the Rugby Football Union, where he is Head of Women’s Performance. A former Wasps and Worcester Warriors player and England Sevens international, Hayter moved into coaching in 2019 as England Women's Sevens Head Coach and later led the Team GB Sevens programmes before returning to the women's XVs game, contributing to the Red Roses 2025 Rugby World Cup victory and successive Six Nations Grand Slams.
As General Manager of High Performance, Hayter will be responsible for shaping organisational strategy, driving rugby and performance priorities and overseeing the successful delivery of all Tour-related commitments. The role will have an immediate focus on the delivery of the 2027 Women’s Tour but will also build the early foundations for the Men’s Tour in 2029.
He will work part-time with the Lions with immediate effect, before joining the Lions Executive Team in January and beginning his role on a full-time basis from 15 March.
Josie Symonds joins the Lions on secondment from the Scottish Rugby Union, where she is Women’s Head of Athletic Performance. She has also previously held roles with Exeter Chiefs and Worcester Warriors. As Head of Athletic Performance, she will oversee and lead the athletic performance programme for the 2027 Tour, including the squad’s pre-Tour preparation. She will be responsible for developing and implementing an athletic performance strategy designed to prepare players for the physical demands of a Lions Tour, working closely with Head Coach Jo Yapp and Hayter and leading an interdisciplinary athletic performance team. Symonds will join The British & Irish Lions on a full-time basis from January, working in a part-time capacity until then.
Eimear Flannery has been appointed Head of Operations, having previously served as Women’s National Team Manager and Sevens Programme Manager with the Irish Rugby Football Union and Rugby Operations Programme Manager with Edinburgh Rugby. S
he will lead the operational and logistical delivery of the Lions Women’s Tour to ensure the touring party is fully supported throughout. Flannery started her role on a full-time basis on 1 October.
Together, Hayter, Symonds and Flannery will form a central part of the Senior Leadership Team for the 2027 Tour, working closely with Yapp and the wider coaching and support team as preparations continue for the inaugural British & Irish Lions Women’s Tour.
Speaking on his appointment, Charlie Hayter, General Manager of High Performance said:
”It is a privilege to work for the BIL and a tremendous opportunity which I don’t take lightly.
“It’s an incredible time to be involved with the growth of the Lions and the inaugural Women’s Tour, building on the legacy and foundations of previous Tours - but also cutting fresh cloth to be stitched into the fabric of the Lions.
“I recognise the significance and responsibility of delivering an extraordinary Tour in 2027 and will have an immediate focus on shaping the success on the ground. It’s also an exciting position to be in where we can lay some of the early performance foundations for the 2029 Men’s Tour.
“I would like to share my thanks to the RFU for their support - particularly Conor O’Shea, Alex Teasdale and Bill Sweeney - and I’m looking forward to working with Jo, Josie, Eimear and the wider Lions team as we prepare for 2027.”
Josie Symonds, Head of Athletic Performance, commented:
“I’m incredibly honoured to join the team for this inaugural Lions Tour, in what will be a historical moment in women’s rugby.
“Having worked with Jo in the past, I’ve no doubt she’ll be assembling a formidable group of staff and players, including the best home nations representation, to make the campaign a success.
“This feels like a special opportunity that doesn’t come around every day. I feel fortunate to be surrounded by a supportive network of friends and family, as well as the SRU for allowing me to take up this role, and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”
Eimear Flannery, Head of Operations, said:
“It is an honour to be joining The British & Irish Lions, and particularly to be part of the first Lions Women’s Tour. It is a special moment that I feel very proud to be involved in.
“I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout my career and helped me get to this point, and also to the Lions for the incredible opportunity.
“I’m looking forward to working alongside the dedicated staff and wider team who will come together to support the Tour and, from an operations and management perspective, I’m excited to help make it a really special experience for everyone involved.”
Jo Yapp, Women’s Head Coach of The British & Irish Lions said:
“I'm delighted to welcome Charlie, Josie and Eimear to The British & Irish Lions.
“They will bring a unique skill set and invaluable expertise to what we are creating ahead of next year's Lions Women’s Tour. Their wealth of experience in the game will lay a fantastic foundation for what we want to deliver as a staff group over the next 12 months, and I'm looking forward to working with the three of them.”
Ben Calveley, CEO of The British & Irish Lions said:
“It’s fantastic to welcome three individuals of such calibre and expertise to The British & Irish Lions, and I’d like to thank their respective Unions for their support in making these appointments possible.
“These appointments will play an important role in laying the foundations for an exciting 12 months ahead. I have every confidence that Charlie, Josie and Eimear will make a valuable contribution to Jo and the wider team as we build towards what promises to be a significant year.”
