Millennium Stadium Experience Joint Venture: A Busy Year

October 2015

Abstract

The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, opened in 1999, was recently voted the best rugby stadium in the world. Its city centre location and fully retractable roof (the first in the United Kingdom) have ensured that it is a 74,500 capacity ‘must play, must see’ venue. At the time of writing, the Millennium Stadium is hosting matches in the 2015 Rugby World Cup – the third time that the Rugby World Cup has been hosted in Cardiff, the stadium being the venue for the 1999 Rugby World Cup final. But it is not only rugby that is played there. The Millennium Stadium has hosted FA Cup Finals, football matches in the 2012 Olympics and other international football matches, motor sport and a number of high profile concerts from the likes of Madonna, Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen, Oasis, Take That, Paul McCartney and U2.

Authors

Gerallt Jones

Head of Corporate and Banking, Hugh James, UK

Gerallt Jones is a Partner and Head of the Corporate and Banking Division at Hugh James. Since joining Hugh James in 2005, Gerallt has led the transformation of the corporate department into a leading market player, advising clients including the Welsh Government, Finance Wales, RBS and the Welsh Rugby Union. He now leads a thriving practice that has attracted high calibre local, national and international clients and has recruited quality lawyers from the City and rival local firms. Gerallt is admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong as well as England and Wales. Gerallt trained at Slaughter and May in London and then worked in London and Hong Kong for both Slaughter and May and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer before returning to Cardiff in 2005.

Rhodri Lewis

Head of Legal Affairs, Welsh Rugby Union Group, UK

Rhodri Lewis joined the WRU Group in August 2010 as the Head of Legal Affairs and is responsible for all legal matters in relation to both the WRU and Millennium Stadium. Rhodri trained at the international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and qualified with the firm as a Corporate Associate. During his time at Freshfields, his work included advising the London 2012 Olympic Bid Team on the corporate aspects of the bid and drafting documentation in relation to establishing and governing LOCOG, the company responsible for delivering the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In 2005, Rhodri joined the Legal Commercial team at UEFA, the governing body of European football, based in Switzerland. During his time at UEFA, Rhodri was responsible for legal commercial matters across all of UEFA's properties, including media rights, sponsorship and licensing agreements for UEFA EUROs, the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. Whilst at UEFA, Rhodri worked at the FIFA 2006 World Cup in Germany and UEFA EURO 2008 in Switzerland and Austria. He also trained and worked as a Venue Director for the UEFA Champions League, managing the stadium on match days. Before joining the WRU Group, Rhodri was the Senior Solicitor at The FA Group, where he was responsible for a broad range of matters in relation to both The Football Association and Wembley Stadium, including sponsorship agreements and media rights agreements in relation to the England football team and The FA Cup. Rhodri was named In House Lawyer of the Year at the 2015 Lawyer Awards.

Companies

Hugh James

Hugh James is a long-established Top 100 firm of around 600 people, including 44 partners. The firm offers its clients – who range from owner-managed businesses and private individuals to multinational corporations, financial institutions, public bodies and not-for-profit organisations – the range, strength and depth of expertise they need.

Welsh Rugby Union Group

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) is the governing body of rugby union in Wales. The WRU is responsible for the running of Welsh rugby, including 320 member clubs, the Welsh national teams and National Leagues and Cups. The Welsh Rugby Union has a major role in the development of coaches, referees and players throughout all ages for both men and women. It is also the parent company of Millennium Stadium plc, the owner and operator of the home of Welsh rugby union, the 74,500 capacity Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

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