Richard Lewis (tennis and rugby league)

Richard Lewis CBE
Born	Richard Lewis Middlesex, England
Nationality	British
Occupation	CEO Wimbledon Tennis
Known for	Chairman of the RFL Chair of the RLEF Chair of Sport England Director of Tennis, LTA Professional Tennis player

Richard Lewis CBE (born 1954) is a former British Davis Cup tennis professional from Middlesex

Lewis became executive chairman of the Rugby Football League in 2002. On 1 April 2009 he replaced Michael Farrar as chairman of Sport England.

In 1978, Lewis helped Great Britain reach the Davis Cup final and he also played in the 1981 semi-finals. He also achieved a highest ranking of 68th in the world.

After finishing his playing career, Lewis moved into sports administration joining the U.K. Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) in 1987, rising to become the its director of tennis, but agreeing to leave his position in the wake of a 2000 loss to Ecuador that led to reduction of British tennis's status from "World" to "Euro-African Zone".

Within a year of joining the RFL, Lewis oversaw reunification with the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) after nearly 30 years of division.

Lewis, it was claimed by then Widnes Vikings chairman Tony Chambers, showed his strong expansionist credentials in 2005 when he allegedly threatened to resign if Super League clubs did not back a plan to save London Broncos, although he denies this.

Under Lewis, plans for a Super League licensing system were introduced.

Through his position at the RFL, Lewis has become Chair of the Rugby League European Federation and Deputy Chair of the Rugby League International Federation.

Following Nigel Wood's appointment as RFL Chief Executive in October 2007, Lewis's role increasingly focuses on developing rugby league in the UK and internationally.

In 2009, when Lewis took on the role of Chair of Sport England, his RFL title changed from Executive Chairman to Chairman.

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