Toshiba has announced a collaboration with 2003 Rugby World Cup winner and Welsh Rugby Union head of rugby, Josh Lewsey, as part of its official Rugby World Cup 2015 sponsorship.

Following a career in which he won 13 major finals and with an impressive business CV which includes roles at leading global companies, Josh Lewsey is 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 Strawberry Hill House near Twickenham. Josh’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 has subsequently 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.

In addition, Josh will take to Toshiba’s Twitter feed to give fans the unique opportunity to pose any questions they have. He is also 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.

Matt McDowell, marketing director, Toshiba Europe, said: “We are delighted to be working with such a prominent figure in both the sporting and business worlds. 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 18 September 18 to 31 October.