Former Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee named Munster interim chief as Flanagan era ends

Munster have appointed former Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee as their interim CEO, with the New Zealand administrator set to take up the position towards the end of October as Ian Flanagan prepares to leave the role he has held since 2019.

Lee brings considerable rugby pedigree to the post, having spent a decade at the helm of the Wellington-based Super Rugby franchise. His tenure included the Hurricanes’ first Super Rugby title in 2016, and the club went on to win Super Rugby Pacific again in 2026, several months after he had stepped down. He departed the role last November following changes at board level and wider developments within the organisation.

The appointment arrives at a sensitive moment for the province. Last week Munster confirmed Flanagan’s exit, and the club has yet to launch a formal search for a permanent successor. The interim role is designed to provide continuity while that process gets under way.

The timing also follows a public call for reform from former Munster and Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony, who urged a “governance change” at the province and argued that Munster needed someone with the organisation’s “best interests at heart” guiding its direction.

Lee is not without personal ties to Irish rugby, having spent almost a decade living in Ireland and playing club rugby during that period.

Munster chair Ger Malone said the board was impressed during the interview process by the breadth of Lee’s rugby experience and his understanding of the pressures facing professional sports organisations. “He brings strong leadership credentials, significant rugby expertise and a collaborative approach that we believe will be hugely valuable to Munster Rugby,” Malone said.

Lee acknowledged the scale of the task ahead while striking an optimistic note. “While my professional career has taken me around the world, Ireland has been an important part of my own rugby journey,” he said. “There are important challenges ahead but I firmly believe there is also tremendous opportunity.”