London, September 3, 2015 — Toshiba today announces a collaboration with Josh Lewsey as part of its official Rugby World Cup 2015 sponsorship activation. The Rugby World Cup 2003 winner, and current Welsh Rugby Union Head of Rugby, possesses expertise which spans both sport and business. Following up a career in which he won thirteen major finals and with an impressive business CV which includes roles at leading global companies makes him a strong fit for Toshiba’s primarily business focused activity.
Central to the campaign is a series of match-day hospitality events, set to take place at the iconic Strawberry Hill House near Twickenham. Josh Lewsey’s participation at the sessions will involve him sharing his business and rugby insight with Toshiba’s customers and partners, and discussing the relationship between sporting and business success.
This insight has been developed throughout an accomplished career both on and off the pitch. Josh’s playing highlights include Rugby World Cup 2003 win, a Grand Slam, two Heineken cups and four domestic championships. Beyond the sport, he was an Army Officer and, in the business world, developed expertise in understanding Organisational Performance. He subsequently has led various strategic change projects, most notably while as a management consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, then at Citigroup, and currently in his role as Head of Rugby at the Welsh Rugby Union, where he has strived to make a positive difference to the game he is passionate about.
Josh will also take to Toshiba’s Twitter feed to give fans the unique opportunity to pose any questions they have, and is participating in wider PR and media activity aimed at building excitement ahead of the Tournament. This includes a Toshiba-sponsored media partnership alongside other talent from the world of rugby.
“I’m really honoured to be working with Rugby World Cup 2015 official sponsor Toshiba for what is set to be fantastic Tournament,” said Josh Lewsey. “Toshiba places strong emphasis on creativity, innovation and technology, particularly in the business sphere. Whether in the board room or on the sports field, this sentiment is key to success, regardless of industry.”
“We are delighted to be working with such a prominent figure in both the sporting and business worlds,” adds Matt McDowell, Marketing Director, Toshiba Europe. “Josh’s success in the game is renowned and undisputed, but it is his wealth of business experience, approach to challenging the norm and innovation, which make him a brilliant fit as we aim to demonstrate the association of sport, business and technology through our Rugby World Cup 2015 sponsorship.”
Toshiba’s partnership with Rugby World Cup 2015 spans the breadth of its business domains, including social infrastructure, air conditioning, multi-functional printers, digital products and medical imaging devices.
Toshiba previously sponsored Rugby World Cup in 2007 and 2011, and became the Official Sponsor of the Japanese Men’s team in 2014. Rugby World Cup 2015 will see 48 matches take place across England and Wales from September 18 to October 31, 2015.
About Toshiba
Toshiba Corporation, a Fortune Global 500 company, channels world-class capabilities in advanced electronic and electrical product and systems into five strategic business domains: Energy & Infrastructure, Community Solutions, Healthcare Systems & Services, Electronic Devices & Components, and Lifestyles Products & Services. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, “Committed to People, Committed to the Future”, Toshiba promotes global operations towards securing “Growth Through Creativity and Innovation”, and is contributing to the achievement of a world in which people everywhere live in safe, secure and comfortable society.
Founded in Tokyo in 1875, today’s Toshiba is at the heart of a global network of over 590 consolidated companies employing over 200,000 people worldwide, with annual sales surpassing 6.5 trillion yen (US$63 billion). To find out more about Toshiba, visit www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm.
