Microsoft’s Pip Marlow joins ARU board

Pip Marlow (Microsoft)

Microsoft Australia managing director, Pip Marlow, has been appointed as a director of the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) board. Marlow fills the vacancy left by the retirement of Michael Hawker.

Hawker’s retirement was announced at the end of last year.

"It gives me great pleasure to welcome Pip to the board,” ARU chairman, Cameron Clyne, said.

"Pip has a lifelong passion for Rugby, and through her professional experience working in senior leadership roles for Microsoft across the US and Australia, Pip brings a unique perspective and valuable set of skills to the board.”

With Marlow joining the ARU board, it brings the number of the most influential Australian women on the board to three – former Australian sex discrimination commissioner, Liz Broderick, and Carnival Australia chief executive, Ann Sherry, sit on the board too.

ARU CEO, Bill Pulver, said Marlow’s appointment comes at an opportune time as it works towards delivering its strategic aim of making rugby a game for everyone.

“We now have three of Australia’s most influential women on our board, in Pip Marlow, Liz Broderick and Ann Sherry. We have never been in a better position to engage more girls and women in the Rugby community.

“With our Australian Women’s Sevens team currently ranked number one in the world in the lead up to the Rio Olympic Games, a new strategic plan that is focused on increasing female involvement, and with such strong female representatives at Board level, it is an exciting time for women in rugby,” he said.

According to Marlow, she has always been passionate about rugby and is looking forward to having the opportunity to contribute to the growth of the game in Australia.

Marlow grew up in Palmerston North, New Zealand, where she developed a love for rugby at a young age. She moved to Sydney to begin her professional career, which included stints working at Samsung Information Systems and Agate Technology before joining Microsoft in 1995.

At Microsoft, she has held various positions across the business, including working as its US channel sales general manager, director of SMB solutions and partners, public sector director, and enterprise and partner group director. She was appointed managing director of Microsoft Australia in January 2011.

Marlow is also a member of Chief Executive Women (CEW), an organisation committed to supporting and growing women in executive positions.

“The appointments of myself, Liz Broderick and Ann Sherry to the board, demonstrates the ARU’s commitment to creating a balanced and diverse Rugby community that reflects the society we live in,” she added.