Formed as Newport Gwent Dragons as part of Welsh top-tier rugby’s transition from a club to regional structure 20 years ago, financial difficulties saw the WRU step in during the summer of 2017.
The governing body increased its 50% share in a takeover that included the nine-acre Rodney Parade site and saw the team rebranded simply as ‘Dragons’.
A return to private ownership was then a condition of a new six-year deal signed between all four regions – including Cardiff, Ospreys and Scarlets – and the WRU in March 2023.
Former Just Eat entrepreneur Buttress headed a consortium along with American biotech tycoon Hoyoung Huh and former Pontypool scrum-half David Wright, who is to take over as the region’s next chair in July.
Buttress – who will remain on the Dragons board while taking over as CEO of energy company Ovo – says while the future is now secure, challenges remain.
“It’s in very loving, caring hands now and we’ll make sure it stays stable and Gwent rugby at a professional level will be fine,” he said on the Radio Wales Breakfast programme.
“I think the bigger question is how do we make it successful, because Welsh rugby is investing less now in the professional game than when I started in 2017. So it’s not a surprise to me when I see the Six Nations [where Wales finished with the Wooden Spoon] or when I see our regions struggling in the league.
“It’s not a secret, if you invest less and less you’re not going to grow.
“We really do have to prioritise and invest in the professional game so it can grow again and be what we know it is and could be.”