CEO unveils new-look leadership team

Wednesday, 13 June, 2018 125comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton Chief Executive Officer, Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale, has outlined the key roles and individuals who will form a new-look ‘ambitious and talented' leadership team at the club.

The team, titled the ‘Everton Leadership team', comprises nine executive director-level positions and will be responsible for the day-to-day operations across the Club, supporting the Club's Board of Directors - and new Director of Football, Marcel Brands - to achieve Everton's long-term ambitions on and off the field. Most of this team will be based, from July, at the Club's new head office at the Royal Liver Building.

The new Everton Leadership team:

David Harrison is promoted from the position of Head of Football Operations to Director of Football Operations. David, who also acts as Club Secretary, joined Everton in 1995 and is one of the Club's longest-serving members of staff.

Richard Kenyon will take on an expanded role to become Director of Marketing, Communications and Community. Richard was appointed as Everton's Director of Marketing and Communications in 2014. Having also worked for more than four years as a Trustee of Everton in the Community, as well as supporting much of the Charity's work in his role at the Club, Richard will also take on the position of Chief Executive of Everton in the Community.

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Grant Ingles will rejoin the Club in July to take up the role of Finance Director. Previously Everton's Finance Director between 2013 and 2017, Grant is making the move back to Everton from Liverpool FC, where he is currently Head of Finance. Earlier in his career Grant worked as a consultant in Deloitte's Sport Business Group and also spent two years in Australia as Finance Director for Sydney FC.

Alan McTavish becomes the Club's Commercial Director. He joined Everton from Watford in 2015, initially as the Club's Head of Commercial Partnerships, before becoming Head of Commercial in 2016 and has been responsible for securing the Club's record Main Partnership deal and its first Sleeve Partner contract.

Grant and Alan will also form part of the new Commercial and Finance team structure headed by Board Member Sasha Ryazantsev, who recently took on the role of Chief Finance and Commercial Officer.

Peter Shaw will become Director of Operations and will join the Club this month. Peter has extensive experience in senior operational, commercial and finance roles. His experience includes 10 years at Liverpool FC — including as Assistant Executive Director between 2008 and 2014 - and as Chief Operating Officer at Tranmere Rovers FC from 2015 to 2017.

Joel Waldron becomes the Club's Academy Director. He has been with Everton in a full-time capacity since 2011. Joel will oversee the Academy operations at USM Finch Farm in an expanded role from his current position of Academy Manager.

Paul McNicholas becomes Director of Risk and Governance. He joined Everton in 2016 as Head of Risk and Governance, having worked as Head of Risk for Manchester Airport Group for four years following more than a decade as a specialist in governance, risk management and internal audit for Deloitte.

Kim Healey becomes the Club's People Director. Kim has more than 14 years' experience in leading HR functions at football clubs, including spells at Blackburn and Wigan. She has been Head of HR at Everton since 2015.

There is one remaining position to be filled on the new Everton Leadership team. The recruitment process for this final position of Stadium Development Director is currently underway and will be completed soon.

Quotes sourced from Everton press release



Reader Comments (125)

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Steve Ferns
1 Posted 13/06/2018 at 15:50:41

What does it mean for Unsworth with Joel Waldron being in charge of the Academy? I know Unsworth was Head of Coaching, but is he passed over for this? Joel Waldron is meant to be a good young coach though. Hopefully, he can make the Academy even better.

What about "Brands's No 2"? Who's he, and why didn't Brands bring in his own guy?

Derek Taylor
2 Posted 13/06/2018 at 16:28:16
Almost as many 'senior' executives as redundant footballers it seems. Someone had a good job dreaming up authoritative-sounding titles for them – no doubt a job in itself!

In real terms, I suspect there will just be more people doing the same work although there is obviously a lot more 'easy money' to be accounted for thanks to the broadcasting bonanza.

This regiment of no-marks matters little. All that is of interest to the large majority of supporters is whether the new manager can make watching the team an enjoyable experience as well as a successful one in terms of points chalked up. I'm one of them!

Dermot Byrne
3 Posted 13/06/2018 at 17:28:54
Well a restructure!

That is what every big-wig does on appointment. Always. Makes their mark.

None of us can truly say how this will work. Sometimes it frees folk to realise their talent, other times it is just redrawing a hierarchy diagram.

So let's not get carried away with a "no change" rant, the mention of ex RS staff or any other worry.

Half full, "more change that was needed".

Half empty, "where's the fucking change".

Will leave nuances to the clever!

Alan J Thompson
4 Posted 13/06/2018 at 17:44:05
The roundabout of senior management.
Bill Watson
5 Posted 13/06/2018 at 17:50:36
It looks as if we're becoming a professional outfit, at last, with clearly defined roles, responsibilities and, hopefully, accountability.
Kevin Jones
7 Posted 13/06/2018 at 17:57:59
Interesting that they are moving into the Liver Building – Keeping an eye on the river front?

I think its great we have a successful woman at the helm, a good progressive message which matches the positive messages from the Brands - Silva duo.

Colin Glassar
8 Posted 13/06/2018 at 17:59:28
What position does Krusty the Clown get? President for life? Keeper of the Keys? Chief Raconteur? Official Storyteller?

Bjoern Haall
9 Posted 13/06/2018 at 18:02:28
A lot of ”Head of” becoming Directors instead ”Head screwed on”. Or is that the meaning of Director?

So there are some vacant ”Head of's” now.

Steavey Buckley
10 Posted 13/06/2018 at 18:05:04
What really counts is the football being played. If I notice Everton players passing sideways and backwards, nothing has changed from last season, whoever the admin staff are.
Martin Nicholls
11 Posted 13/06/2018 at 18:08:56
Good to see Richard Kenyon still here – he's had the last laugh on the dreadful Allardyce.
Paul Tran
12 Posted 13/06/2018 at 18:16:33
Any restructure is only effective when everyone is aware of each individual's responsibilities, everyone is subject to measurable targets and held to account regarding performance.
Jack Convery
13 Posted 13/06/2018 at 18:21:42
Northern Rail has quite a few Directors. I hope ours are better at their jobs than those at Northern Rail.
Dermot Byrne
14 Posted 13/06/2018 at 18:32:28
I refer back to # 3.

As all of us who post re this, we know fuck all.

So, jokes re management to fill the space better?

Michael Kenrick
15 Posted 13/06/2018 at 18:54:12
The lads at EBM should be pleased — this identification of roles and job descriptions is what they have been asking for forever.

Although: Richard Kenyon - Director of Marketing, Communications and Community... Is he the bloke they've been asking for? Marketing should be a full-time single-focus appointment; so should Communications if they are going to take it seriously...

And as for Community – Why does our continuing focus on this amidst our confirmed mediocrity continue to annoy me as it does?

Dermot Byrne
16 Posted 13/06/2018 at 18:59:54
A man goes into a pet shop to buy a parrot. The shop owner points to three identical looking parrots on a perch and says, "the parrot on the left costs 500 dollars".

"Why does the parrot cost so much," asks the man.
The shop owner says, "well, the parrot knows how to use a computer".

The man then asks about the next parrot to be told that this one costs 1,000 dollars because it can do everything the other parrot can do plus it knows how to use the UNIX operating system.

Naturally, the increasingly startled man asks about the third parrot to be told that it costs 2,000 dollars. Needless to say this begs the question,
"What can it do?"

To which the shop owner replies, "to be honest I have never seen it do a thing, but the other two call him boss!"

Derek Taylor
17 Posted 13/06/2018 at 19:06:42
Robert Elstone, hasn't taken long to cause upset in the Rugby League to which he has returned to work after 15 years with Everton.

Elstone apparently chose his introductory speech to reveal that henceforth, the Super Eights play-off format for promotion and relegation would be replaced by a simple one-up, one down system although little or no discussion had taken place between the game's clubs.

Leeds Rhinos are said to be most vexed by the decision which they claim he had no authority to make.

Consultation, who needs cosultation, eh?

Lawrence Green
18 Posted 13/06/2018 at 19:07:58
Very funny Dermot and very true. It remains to be seen how the various bods do their allotted jobs and whether it makes Everton FC stronger out on the pitch. At least there seems to be a proper structure in place.
Winston Williamson
19 Posted 13/06/2018 at 19:10:49
Michael 15: regarding your annoyance with the Community element. Maybe it annoys because there is a perceived desire for a ‘world class' charity there, and that perceived desire is (has been) radically removed regarding our actual purpose... on-the-field success!

I find it exceedingly frustrating! It's like a brewery making better (free) crisps than their (expensive) beer!

Karl Jones
20 Posted 13/06/2018 at 19:18:47
Just like moving Deckchairs on the Titanic.
Jamie Crowley
21 Posted 13/06/2018 at 19:24:25
The cynicism is SO shocking!

Everton are doing what they have to internally and organizationally to move on. No longer are they run the "Buddy Billy" way.

Good. Well done.

Derek Taylor
22 Posted 13/06/2018 at 19:26:38
Who knows, Jamie, they might even begin to hold proper Board Meetings!
Dermot Byrne
24 Posted 13/06/2018 at 19:34:14
I agree Lawrence (#18).

I actually by nature think this is a brilliant sign.

I just have a problem with managers per se!

John Wilson
25 Posted 13/06/2018 at 19:35:30
Too many cooks will spoil the broth, as they say.

Professor Barrett-Baxendale – this is a title universities give to uni teachers to indicate 'the best' in the dept.

What exactly has Baxendale done? Why is she still called professor if she is no longer associated with her former university?

Is she a PhD graduate (ie Dr)...Dr of can of Coke and packet of crisps.

Dermot Byrne
26 Posted 13/06/2018 at 19:42:07
Michael... you have that eternal dilemma between being "the winner" but an understanding of the importance of a winner and needing to remember and help the less fortunate.

I know you live in USA but some believe we can help that angst by a tax regime. We all pay, no dilemma!

I have a "Be Average But Love" therapist if you need number.

D

John Wilson
27 Posted 13/06/2018 at 19:43:59
All this talent (allegedly) yet not one of them stopped the holy fuck of a fiasco called a transfer window. Why haven't heads rolled.

They need some working class people in there instead of middle class 'jobs for the boys' with their new plush water-front air-conditioned offices.

Kev Jones
28 Posted 13/06/2018 at 19:50:25
'Professor' is a title that indicates an acknowledgment of achievement amongst academic peers. Let's celebrate Prof Baxendale's achievements and then ask the next question: Does she get paid the same as our previous CEO or other male CEOs in football, or is there a glass ceiling in the new Liver Building offices?
Martin Berry
29 Posted 13/06/2018 at 20:27:56
If anyone ever, ever had any doubts about Everton's proposed new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock not happening, well I hope the move to the Liver Building and the appointment of a Stadium Development Director puts all the doubt to bed.

Revel in the prospect and its excitement!

Mark Dunford
30 Posted 13/06/2018 at 20:35:46
This all seems quite sensible to me. I'm hoping someone is still in charge of the community work – I think it is important and something that distinguishes the club. It does, however, need someone you can reach easily if it is to succeed.

Glad that Kenyon was promoted. He earned a reward with the survey!

I think it is an honorary professorship for Barrett-Baxendale rather than an earned academic title – normally given in recognition of work which has an impact, potential to raise profile of University, etc. Doesn't mean it isn't merited.

Jerome Shields
31 Posted 13/06/2018 at 20:38:46
The Board badly needs to be overhauled, I don't know if this merry-go-round will sort it out. Hope it isn't one of those Management Consultant, charts-on-the-wall exercises. Always useless.

Denise Barrett-Baxendale did a great job with Everton in the Community, Everton will only go forward if the right Chairman and Board is in place. The present Chairman has been unsuccessful. It's not all down to the football management team.

Kevin Turner
32 Posted 13/06/2018 at 20:39:16
#27. You get the Wolfie Smith Award for the comment that it's a class issue. Power to the people, eh? Moving on.
Kevin Turner
33 Posted 13/06/2018 at 20:42:14
So much negativity on here it's hard to stomach. Brave new dawn. FFS lets give the new CEO a chance please before you lambast her and the new structure.
Michael Burke
34 Posted 13/06/2018 at 20:56:39
Her thesis is; 21st Century Headteacher: Guardian of Pedagogy or Visionary Leader? I think I’m going to give that a miss!
James Flynn
35 Posted 13/06/2018 at 21:00:39
Everything moving forward. With all he was faced with, only took Moshiri 26-27 months to get everything in place for a real move forward.

Exciting times ahead.

Dave Evans
36 Posted 13/06/2018 at 21:00:58
This is good news. A professional club needs to be run and ours clearly needs to be run better.

A bit early to be calling them all no-marks unless you want to be seen as the living, posting proof of concept.

Anthony Dove
37 Posted 13/06/2018 at 21:08:30
L4 4EL. Everton's version of W1A. What a load of bollocks!
Mark Dunford
38 Posted 13/06/2018 at 21:11:19
Michael (#34) – that sounds like her PhD title; the official website says it is an honorary professorship.

In any event, it is great to have a well-qualified woman at the helm of the club and the structure outlined seems to make sense. All-in-all, the club appears to be entering the 21st century after the dark age of the past two years or so.

Brent Stephens
39 Posted 13/06/2018 at 21:11:51
John (#25) – a miserable post. Give the lass a chance to prove herself. And what's this class thing got to do with it?!

(And I don't think you understand the various types of professorshi.p)

Ernie Baywood
40 Posted 13/06/2018 at 21:24:21
Most of these changes aren't really significant to us as fans. It's just naming people and setting out roles.

The significant bit is the fact that they are communicating. We've just had a football management structure where we didn't know who was responsible for what... now we know who is accountable for everything!

And finally we're getting a Stadium Development Director. Not a part time vanity gig for the CEO. That screams accountability – someone is going to be held accountable for making it happen!

Steve Ferns
41 Posted 13/06/2018 at 21:26:43
I agree with you, Ernie. But these changes do give the façade of the club trying to make changes to fit into a more modern big club approach. Let's see give them a chance and see how they do. I'm sure the EBM guys will keep a close eye.
Peter Mills
42 Posted 13/06/2018 at 21:46:06
Let’s give it a chance, shall we?
David Hallwood
43 Posted 13/06/2018 at 21:52:13
Slightly off piste. Watching re-runs of the Swansea and Palace games on Sky at the mo, and it's only in the cold light of day do you realise how gash Williams is-and Mangala for that matter.

Let's hope they're not part of the future.

Tony Sullivan
44 Posted 13/06/2018 at 21:54:19
Michael (15) because we are part of the community, not separate from it, is, maybe the answer to your question.
Dave Abrahams
45 Posted 13/06/2018 at 21:54:44
Peter (42), yes Peter, let's give the new leadership a chance, even Mrs Blenkenshop!!!!!!
Gaute Lie
46 Posted 13/06/2018 at 21:58:02
One should believe this was a big international company with all the top managment and directors. Not a football club.
Steve Ferns
47 Posted 13/06/2018 at 22:03:14
Everton is a big international company. What else would you call a Company with a global consumer base and a £175m turnover? We should be thinking bigger to get bigger.
Christine Foster
48 Posted 13/06/2018 at 22:06:35
Christ sake guys, for years, that's YEARS, we have complained about the lack of professionalism in running the club, a lack of clarity with structure and communication and that the club needed to be run like a real business and not someone's train set.

So, here it is, the first steps we have needed in order to get our act together off the field as well as on it, because if the first is crap so will be the second.

I wholeheartedly agree and welcome the changes and restructuring, as well as the move to the iconic Liver Building, I hope there is a blue sign up somewhere that's lit up to show it's ours, as well as the blue lights on the liver birds...

For those who criticise regarding the move just being a moving of the deckchairs etc – I remind you that when the captain of a ship ignores his crew because he feels he does what he wants, what's the point of a crew?
We now have a crew and a team, we now have a leader focused on delivering performance on and off the pitch... at last!

Peter Thistle
49 Posted 13/06/2018 at 22:10:11
New people, same old shit. Nothing will change, clowns.
Phil Tottie
50 Posted 13/06/2018 at 22:13:47
Hmm... there is a saying in business that, if you try to do the same thing with the same people, it is the first sign of madness. I can't see how this restructuring changes anything.

The same people have been given new job titles but their responsibilities have not altered – how is this going to transform anything?

Kev Jones
51 Posted 13/06/2018 at 22:14:16
Interesting thesis title on the theme of leadership. She is Visiting Professor of Sport in the Service of Humanity at Liverpool Hope University. Her professorial inaugural lecture was: Modern Day Football Social Schemes: Sport in the service of humanity or superficial social alibi?

If she can bring the clarity of her leadership vision and social commitment to help support success on the pitch, then Hope is the word.

Brent Stephens
52 Posted 13/06/2018 at 22:16:36
Peter (#49). What shit have you seen from this new set-up?

Same old shit?

John Wilson
54 Posted 13/06/2018 at 22:24:17
At one time, PhDs were rare... now they're given out like Smarties.

A 2.1 at one time was the sign of academic achievement in a bachelor's degree – now it's just what I call 'plastic degrees' and 'glass ceilings'. We have a plastic population of academics, what Ritzer would call a McDonaldisation of society (where society is like a McDonalds... convenience foods... fast.... efficient.. cheap... the degree itself means nothing, ie, the plastic degrees – the unis value shit at £9,000 a year... and society blindly pays it... because they're conditioned to).

When anybody mentions social class, why is there a comment that wreaks of communism humour, ie, 'power to the people'?

Social class is a very real phenomenon – all the best jobs in industry, right up to the top, entail middle class, upper middle class, and upper class.

In Everton, titles mean nothing unless there is accountability – it needs working class people represented in there, not bourgeois twats who call themselves working class ('lower social class') because their parents were. Lower social class live rather different lives to the bourgeois class.

John Pierce
55 Posted 13/06/2018 at 22:24:31
Hear, hear, Christine! The amount of guff on this thread takes a special type of effort.

We are a massive business run by the local lad made good with no money for years. The professionalism was reflected in that. The home spun, family, People's Club rubbish is conflated with the hard-nosed business savvy required to make your pennies work for you. You can have both, if you want.

They're transparent announcements with delineated responsibilities. At last, I say, hurrah!

Good luck to them all, a further step in modernizing the club.

Steavey Buckley
56 Posted 13/06/2018 at 22:26:20
If Everton keep passing sideways and backwards, nothing would have changed to make any real difference.
Brent Stephens
57 Posted 13/06/2018 at 22:35:47
John (#54),

"In Everton, titles mean nothing unless there is accountability – it needs working class people represented in there not bourgeois twats who call themselves working class ('lower social class') because their parents were".

The gift that keeps on giving! Who of the new appointments call themselves working class? Any evidence or just your usual stuff?

John Wilson
58 Posted 13/06/2018 at 22:37:58
Never mind. Let's just go back to being dull-minded and never question things, it's easier.
Brent Stephens
59 Posted 13/06/2018 at 22:38:50
As I thought, no evidence!
John Wilson
60 Posted 13/06/2018 at 22:43:16
I provided my best arguments for my law degree.

I was just making a point – think of the answer yourself. I was speaking in general about those who assume they're working class because of their parents. I use 'middle class' to convey the idea that they're out of touch with the poor working class.

Brent Stephens
61 Posted 13/06/2018 at 22:46:41
You're not doing your law degree now, John. You're on TW. So any evidence?

Your legal training should tell you that to make such a sweeping assertion as you did really needs some evidence. You're trashing the whole of the new leadership team through bizarre statements.

Brent Stephens
62 Posted 13/06/2018 at 22:48:18
"I provided my best arguments for my law degree".

So, in comparison, your current arguments are not up to that standard?!

Hugh Jenkins
63 Posted 13/06/2018 at 22:54:03
John (#60)

Out of curiosity, how do you define"working class" nowadays and what are the differentiators between working class, middle class and upper class, in today's society?

Peter Gorman
64 Posted 13/06/2018 at 23:04:37
In which class do you find berks like John Wilson?
Terry White
65 Posted 13/06/2018 at 23:07:20
Who was it who wrote, "Who needs opposition fans when we have our own supporters like John Wilson and Peter Thistle"?
Derek Taylor
66 Posted 13/06/2018 at 23:25:53
Terry White!
Bob Parrington
67 Posted 13/06/2018 at 23:27:03
Brent #57 & Hugh #63 - well said! Class (other than being a classy player!?) shouldn't have any place on here. Both my Dad and mum worked hard. (Dad at Birkenhead docks and mum cooked at a school.) No 'phone, no car. Probably ironed on 'working class'.

One of 5 kids, I was taught only one thing about class: The RS fans are the lower class and Everton fans are the bright ones who properly understand football.

Of course ,I'd add a smiley face here, if I knew how to!

Chris Mason
68 Posted 13/06/2018 at 23:30:26
On Denise Barrett-Baxendale's title. She should only ever use Professor when she is representing her academic interest or institution.

In her role at Everton, she has no need to use the (honorary) Professor title. In her role as CEO, she has to avoid any conflict of interest that might interfere with how she works in this role.

It's possible she and / or the club don't realise this, and they think using Professor makes them look clever by association.

Otherwise she's trying to make herself sound important, which in academic circles means she's being a pompous twit.

I hope, for my sanity at least, they just start calling her Denise for now on. Imagine having to call your boss Professor? I know I don't.

Yours, skulking back to the shadows

(not Professor) Chris

John Wilson
69 Posted 13/06/2018 at 23:31:55
Look, I am bored repeating myself now – I am capped to 5 responses per article.

http://ToffeeWeb.com/comment/live/

I can discuss social class up to upper class if you want but only on the 'live forum'... as there are no such caps there for me.

http://ToffeeWeb.com/comment/live/

Otherwise here I say one thing and so many different people respond. In any event, stop taking offence and rushing to Everton's defence.

http://ToffeeWeb.com/comment/live/

You're football club fans and nothing else – you're not shareholders, you're not millionaire football players. In terms of evidence, I generally don't use specifics – instead generalise to make a point not to get caught up in the detail.

http://ToffeeWeb.com/comment/live/

I am trying to make a point with the live forum, do you think you have taken the hint yet? Is the live forum link not showing?

James Hopper
70 Posted 13/06/2018 at 23:34:10
Rarely have I ever read such a load of crap as John Wilson’s rant on class.

I’m probably lower middle class rather than his coveted, salt of the earth, working class. Yet I’m a season ticket holder, I cheer, I pay my Sky subscription, I buy the merchandise. I contribute as much to our club as most other fans. What the fuck does class have to do with anything?

The biggest difference in class between John Wilson and me is that I might have some.

Andy Crooks
71 Posted 13/06/2018 at 23:40:41
Michael @ 15, I agree. No doubt it is worthy but it is not why I support Everton; nor, having had my enthusiasm rekindled, why I am saving to come to a few games this season.

I would like something more to make us proud.

John Boon
72 Posted 13/06/2018 at 23:42:38
Glad to see mostly positives responses. Evertonians are really at a stage where we just have to look at new developments as a plus. Let us put 2017-18 behind us.

have read 67 responses before my own. I only read the name "Allardyce" once so we must be making some progress. I no longer have to read his idiotic "Pearls of Wisdom."

Andy Crooks
73 Posted 13/06/2018 at 00:06:26
I think John Wilson is being harshly dealt with on this thread. I welcome this professionalism, I welcome a well structured organization with accountability. But, something rankles with me, as it obviously does with John.

Maybe it reminds me of the organization I work for where the those at the bottom get shit pay and those at the top get grand titles and loads of money. Now, we may have appointed great people, I hope we have, but if any of them fuck up, they will not suffer the financial oblivion of the doorman who fucks up.

Kev@ 51, academia is full of the most absurd PhDs, and mad thesises (is that a word?). I have seen "Veils in the Old Testament", which I reckon must be a good read. It seems to me that worthiness might not be what we need right now.

Perhaps I have a chip on my shoulder too but I get John's point while not agreeing with all of it. Class has a lot to do with many things.


Frank Wade
74 Posted 13/06/2018 at 00:09:49
A shake up at Management (Leadership) level appropriate to and in line with a multi million pound enterprise. Perfectly normal. People are given responsibility for various roles in the business. Responsibility will have Key Performance Indicators assigned and reported on. Onwards and Upwards. Progress.
Geoff Lambert
75 Posted 14/06/2018 at 00:23:02
Thank goodness John Wilson is capped to 5 responses per article.

I wonder why?

Andy Crooks
76 Posted 14/06/2018 at 00:24:48
Yes, I am a dinosaur and likely well out of touch but phrases like "key performance indicators" make me want to throw my guts up. You know why? Because the guys I watch the match with in the pub wouldn't have the first fucking clue what they mean.

And that is part of the toe-curling management speak that is designed to make those who use it look smart. KPI's (yeah that is even worse) is just an offence against the English language.

I want our club to be run professionally and I hope this will do it. I just feel an outdated attachment to the roots of the game.

Also, I am uneasy about purveyors of good works who are vastly paid for it.

Derek Thomas
77 Posted 14/06/2018 at 01:31:28
Can any of them cover the left-back position, just in case mind?

It would be a shame to have all those bods sat in the Liver Building and not actually contributing on the field.

Derek Thomas
78 Posted 14/06/2018 at 01:44:25
John Wilson; finally, from all the arl guff you spout, Seven (pillars) words of wisdom: 'Titles mean nothing unless there is accountability'.

Ooer missus, a literary allusion, mean I'm no longer working class, whatever would my arl nana from Garston say.

Quit while you're ahead, mate... on second thoughts - just quit, stop being a wannabe Chico from Bootle.

Laurie Hartley
79 Posted 14/06/2018 at 01:54:56
Perhaps the community thing is recognition by our billionaire owner and his new CEO that the heart and soul of the club has it roots in the working class.

I follow Everton for the football and because my dad before me (God rest his soul) did. He was a committed socialist and tried to make a difference to the ordinary people he came in contact with during his day-to-day life.

As a great sage of China (now the people's republic of China) once said:- "if you want to change the world light a candle in your own corner".

Everton in the Community makes a difference. I think it is a good thing that our new CEO has recognised this.


Dan Parker
80 Posted 14/06/2018 at 02:41:24
Easy to be cynical but reading the details behind the promotions and appointments, makes total sense. I really applaud our club for promoting women at the board level. And well deserved too.

Unfortunately, football is a business these days. I'm actually more enthused for the appointment of Marcel Brands than Marco Silva. It was clear Walsh was way out of his depth.

From what I've seen, Denise Barrett-Baxendale seems a step up from Robert Elstone.

Ed Prytherch
81 Posted 14/06/2018 at 03:13:41
People getting new titles in order to feel more important and to tell their friends that they are very important. Reminds me of banks in the US when the next step up from teller is vice president. Too many poseurs. I fear the worst.
Jay Harris
82 Posted 14/06/2018 at 03:25:35
A load of cynicism and hardly a mention of the passing of the Bill and Bob comedy show.

No wonder the RS call us bitters.

Those people I know about seem excellent appointments and the ones I don’t know about seem to have good pedigrees.

I really don’t see any negativity in having strength at the top.

FFS we have cried out for better leadership for years and because we get an overdose of it all at once we complain.

Personally I am so pleased to close the door on the Kenwright years.

John Boon
83 Posted 14/06/2018 at 03:41:34
Well said, Derek Thomas (#78). The article was merely about appointments. Why does "Class" become John Wilson's obsession?

Sometimes five posts is four too many, particularly when you feel you need four more to explain about the first one.

The only class I care about is class shown on the field by such players who elevate the game to standards of excellence. Unfortunately, we haven't had any of late.


Jamie Crowley
84 Posted 14/06/2018 at 04:27:50
Andy Crooks -

I share your disdain for corporatism. When you hear the terms come out of their mouths and mouth-pieces like, "shift the paradigm", and, "we have a fiduciary responsibility", and the like?

Well, you puke just a tiny bit in the back of your throat.

BUT! (yes, wait for it) Everton needs desperately more corporate governance and a restructure. Don't let the class issues and the plastic facades cloud your vision of what's occurring here.

We fucking need to have a different approach, with clearly defined, broken down, accountable roles! It's good management. Ignore the bullshit. Embrace the professionalism.

Class has absolutely ZERO to do with this in this instance. It's simply an effort to improve that which you love. That's it. End of.

If someday Everton fires all its long-standing employees, sells off all it's best players, scraps EitC due to "high costs", and Moshri goes on a wild cocaine and prostitute binge in Vegas, then go burn down the Liver Building and Goodison Park.

But he isn't working for Goldman Sachs or AIG. He's trying to help Everton.

Julian Wait
85 Posted 14/06/2018 at 04:29:07
Clear responsibilities and all required given the objectives of the club. It seems straightforward to me and falls into two main areas

Not football

1. Overall Operations
2. Manage risk, adhere to the law (and safety etc)
3. Manage money
4. Market the club, Support the community, Tell everyone about it
5. Look after your staff

Football

6. Develop young players
7. Recruit and retain players, manage contracts etc
8. Improve the team on the field
9. Get a new stadium

What's so hard to like about this? We know who's doing what, and we know who is in charge. If it wasn't clear, we'd be rightly moaning about it, but this is difficult to be against.

They seem to have a plan at least, let's hope they can manage to it, and that it is the right strategy (or that they can adjust and adapt and change the strategy WHEN it goes wrong... because it will, like most all plans).

Jerome Shields
86 Posted 14/06/2018 at 05:15:24
John Wilson. Having put three through College, agree with your analysis. The problem is that so many who get educated, forget their working class roots and more importantly, the associated working class values.

Organisations are plagued by these types who won't accept accountability. They are easily manipulated by upper classes and are full of manipulation themselves.

Put plain and simple, if the Board is poor, the football management and team will be poor. Fancy titles and qualifications mean nothing. It's their ability to manage and achieve results that counts.

Everton's performance reflects this. There need to be changes in personnel at Board level. Organisational changes are useless when you are dealing with muppets.

Alan J Thompson
87 Posted 14/06/2018 at 05:49:48
I take it Mr Moshiri, or his company, own the Liver Building as I was wondering why these people are not to work out of Finch Farm as no football ground at Bramley-Moore will be seen for a few years yet.
Alan J Thompson
88 Posted 14/06/2018 at 06:14:25
Julian (#85);

As another bloke from Liverpool said; "Life, that's the stuff that happens while you're making plans."

Jeff Spiers
89 Posted 14/06/2018 at 06:48:46
Jerome @86. I wonder what the wage bill is? Smacks of jobs for the boys.
Michael Kenrick
90 Posted 14/06/2018 at 07:17:10
Alan (#87),

In case you missed the news in April of last year:

Moshiri is part-owner of the Liver Building

David Ellis
91 Posted 14/06/2018 at 07:19:03
I am cynical about job title inflation, but I do like what I hear from DBB and the fact that she's been so public about laying out the separate roles and responsibilities of each director and got these guys on the board is a massive step forward. Communication is already much better than before. First the handling of the appointment of Brands and Silva (in the correct order) and now this.

This matters because what happens off the pitch influences what happens on the pitch. Football is a business. The reason we are not as successful as in the past is because our business has declined relative to a few rival clubs (but not all...look at Villa and Leeds Utd). DBB is passionate and effective. What she has done at EiTC is outstanding and I have a very positive vibe about her influence throughout the club.

David Ellis
92 Posted 14/06/2018 at 07:22:09
As some have already said the Everton Business Matters guys will be pleased as they wanted board-level accountability for the various functions and now we clearly have it. The one gap is the "born not made Evertonian" to be the brand ambassador. But other than that its as if DBB has been listening to EBM – maybe that's one her KPIs?

I do love a TLA (three letter acronym).

Lee Whitehead
93 Posted 14/06/2018 at 08:00:18
At last.

Were being run like a "proper" business / football club!!! Not some some "play thing" for the chosen few.

Onwards and upwards!

COYB

Brent Stephens
94 Posted 14/06/2018 at 09:38:19
#69 - hint taken. But my wife restricts me to one post on that other forum!
Alan J Thompson
95 Posted 14/06/2018 at 09:51:46
Michael (#90); No, I didn't miss it, the remark was made somewhat tongue-in-cheek given that I would have thought Everton have offices at Goodison and Finch Farm.
Martin Faulkner
96 Posted 14/06/2018 at 11:14:07
Just had to type this up on a word doc to actually find any new appointments, here we go
1. Director of football operations – David Harrison who was previously Head of football operations. Sounds like the guy who would have had overall charge of our excellent football department last season, record transfer spend – tick hired excellent managers – tick team did well in the league – tick….. No Change
2. Director of Marketing, Communications and Community – Richard Kenyon, so he gets EITC added to his role to fill Denise’s boots there. Been here since 2014 well respected, no change
3. Finance Director – Grant Ingles rejoins after having a year across the park at Mordor, seriously?
4. Commercial Director – Alan McTavish gets a name change from head of commercial to Director of Commercial, KPI’s and a share plan. African betting firms and angry birds, woohoo
5. Director of Operations - Peter Shaw, new signing from Tranmere, previously of Mordor, we had to look all over the world to find this guy.
6. Academy Director – Joel Waldron, gets a role name change from Manger to Director, KPI’s and a share plan. Otherwise no change
7. Director of Risk & Governance – Paul McNicholas, previously, wait for it… yep you guessed it Head of Risk & Governance, role name change, KPI’s and a share plan
8. Club’s Peoples Director – Kim Healey name change from HR to the softer People Director…. That’s a new one for me and I’ve got a guy in my work called the projects & maintenance support superintendent he had to reduce the font size to fit it on a business card.
9. Stadium Development Director, Joe Anderson, oops nah we’re actually looking for someone, honest.
I’m sure they’ll all be given some KPI’s that they’ll cascade down to their teams to ensure a positive outcome while engaging key stakeholders to start building a consensus around the new ecosystem, sorry I just puked in the back of my throat a bit there…
David Ellis
97 Posted 14/06/2018 at 11:55:17
Martin - 97 - good funny read!
One big change though is DBB. The fact we now know who these people are and what they are supposed to be doing (and who they report to) is new.
And there is no share option plan, Everton doesn't pay dividends so there would be no point. This I know because I am a shareholder.
John Daley
98 Posted 14/06/2018 at 11:58:04
Sorry Martin (@97), you're way out of date there. I'm afraid some hasty re-restructuring has taken place overnight in an attempt to placate John Wilson.

Libby Precariat has now been drafted in as Director of Operations. Libby's previous experience consists of 11 years as a trainee cobbler and countless hours stood outside a theatre lobbing sharp objects at opera lovers.

Sol Tovzyerth will step into the role of Finance Director after stunning success in the first half of 2018. Sol stayed within his £600 overdraft 5 out of 6 months, swiftly secured a 25% single person council tax reduction after his wife ran off with his mate Dave and, last but not least, set a new world record for writing the word 'scandalous' 279 times on a single side of A4 paper in a scathing letter sent to Heinz lambasting the rebranding of 'Salad Cream' to 'Sandwich Cream'.

Dale Rose
99 Posted 14/06/2018 at 12:45:08
Lets hope they score more goals than the last lot .
Laurie Hartley
100 Posted 14/06/2018 at 12:55:34
Libby, when asked during the interview for the position, "why are you prepared to give up after 11 years, your traineeship as a cobbler" she replied:-

"Well the reality is you can buy a new pair of shoes made in The People's Republic of China for less than it will cost me to repair your old ones."

John Wilson
101 Posted 14/06/2018 at 13:38:27
A transparent company (are Everton a public authority or a hybrid - for accountability purposes?)

Every Everton supporter has a contract when they purchase a ticket, never mind a season ticket. Everton are not an individual - they are corporation legal personality which means Everton can make commercial transactions in the name of the company, and individuals can make commercial transactions.

These titles don't mean a whole lot - the transfer window fiasco at the 'club' senior hierarchy level is what should have changed. Moving the then Director of Football and the Manager in club like Everton with its commercial resources could have just been 'smoke and mirrors,' akin to a chess board moving the pieces but keeping the same board.

In reality, the footballing world aside there would have been a thorough investigation and heads would have rolled, been liable in the tort of negligence. The constitution (how the company is run) would have changed to stop the same problems happening again.

In this modern democracy, for a public authority, we should know who gets paid what and the specifics of the person's roles (job description) and accountability factors, ie accountability to whom and to which extent.

NB: I may have gone over the 5 cap.

Mark Taylor
102 Posted 14/06/2018 at 13:38:50
They've missed one.

Reg, the doorman, has now been appointed Director of Aperture Services...

Don Alexander
103 Posted 14/06/2018 at 13:56:38
Brilliant, Mark!
Bill Watson
104 Posted 14/06/2018 at 14:10:30
James # 70

"I’m probably lower middle class rather than his coveted, salt of the earth, working class. Yet I’m a season ticket holder, I cheer, I pay my Sky subscription, I buy the merchandise. I contribute as much to our club as most other fans. What the fuck does class have to do with anything?"

Class affects every aspect of our life as it determines our life chances and therefore our education, working life and life expectancy. The general ridiculing of John's post is like saying, 'sitting on the board is not for the likes of us,' and is part of the problem of the lack of working class representation on boards across industry, commerce and sport.

>Of course, none of us know what class other ToffeeWeb contributors are but, like John, I'm working class. I have a season ticket, go to most away matches and I'm a shareholder. All that says about me is that I can afford it but I may not be that welcome at the local golf club!!


I refuse to subscribe to Sky (unlike some who boycott The Sun but happily support Murdoch's Sky) and don't buy merchandise. Does that make me more, or less, of an Evertonian than a middle class person who goes corporate? I'll leave that for others to judge!


Support can't be measured by class, alone, but it will play a large part in determining who ends up in positions of influence.

If Everton truly aspire to be "The People's Club" they should co-opt a fan's representative onto the board. I can think of a few ToffeeWebbers who I'd be only too willing to nominate! (Although they may well turn out to be middle class, too lol).

Ernie Baywood
107 Posted 14/06/2018 at 17:35:13
Struggling to understand the class argument.

- We need more working class people in top positions.
- Top positions almost exclusively go to the middle and upper classes.
- If you rise to those sort of positions you're no longer working class.

How does the first point work if the second two are true? Are we really proposing that we sit Reg on the board?

Alan J Thompson
108 Posted 14/06/2018 at 17:53:52
Ernie (#107); Would that be Reg Trademark?
Bill Watson
109 Posted 14/06/2018 at 19:34:09
Ernie (#107),

Not necessarily. German firms must have a Trade Union person on the board and their economy, and standard of living, is far ahead of ours.

Dave Evans
110 Posted 14/06/2018 at 19:43:31
I would like to nominate my getaway driver Bret to the board — he is defo working class.
Dermot Byrne
111 Posted 14/06/2018 at 20:03:53
Not sure I get the class debate. Surely it is about having the most talented.

How people and their families move or stay within social and economic classes is a much wider issue than football club appointments.

There is the easy thinking about the cliched attributes and social norms of the working, middle and ruling classes. If anything keeps people in their boxes it is those outdated stereotypes.

Always loved that Python "Well we 'ad it tough...".

Bill Watson
113 Posted 14/06/2018 at 20:24:24
Premier League clubs, including Everton, have traditionally kept fans at a distance, only paying lip service to fan engagement and certainly not inviting any to join the board.

Judging by the response to John's initial post, many fans must feel the very idea of having a board representative is absurd. Maybe that's how the working class view their role in society; being grateful for scraps thrown from the master's plate. It may also explain how a Conservative Party successfully persuades people to vote against their own interests.

However, football doesn't have to be the plaything of the rich and this is perfectly illustrated by the Bundesliga (and also by Barcelona).

But hey, this isn't for the likes of us working class. We consider the suggestion ludicrous and we're quite content to leave the running of our businesses to our 'betters'.

Why the Bundesliga business model is the best in Europe

Damian Wilde
114 Posted 14/06/2018 at 23:34:21
People moaning about community work, are you Tories? Don't be so selfish. I'm proud of what we do.
Nicholas Ryan
115 Posted 15/06/2018 at 03:34:37
KGB still in charge of the dosh, I see!
Kev Jones
116 Posted 15/06/2018 at 08:29:16
A#73 I liked your thoughtful defence of why class matters in football.

For every obscure PhD, there are PhDs that are more obviously relevant. You might be interested in this PhD:

'Football class and identity in Liverpool and Newcastle 1951-1979'.

PhDs at their best open up blue-sky thinking that can lead to new ways of thinking about the world that were never expected. An issue for me would be which people get access to doing a PhD if they want to. I found ‘Social Class Inequality in Educational Attainment in England' helpful for that.

Bringing together football, a strong male working class background
Kev Jones
117 Posted 15/06/2018 at 08:59:48
A fans representative on the board great idea. I'd vote for Neville Southall because he is so amazingly open, bringing together football, a strong male working background, sexworker collectives, LGBT issues, Trans awareness, kids excluded from mainstream school, and mental health issues to name a few.

Google ‘Denise Barrett-Baxendale inaugural lecture at Hope university' and you will see that not only does she know ‘er history, she also through EiTC worked with some of those same groups of people who matter so much to Neville.

Ernie Baywood
118 Posted 15/06/2018 at 09:25:32
Bill (#113), I'm not against the idea of a fan being on the board. I'm just not sure why they have to be defined as working class.

What do we even mean by working class? It's it code for blue collar? Low paid? Not tertiary educated? What does a working class person look like? I work for a living – am I working class?

Personally I'd rather we picked an Evertonian who had some other relevant experience, along with their blue blood. But I'm told in the above comments that anyone with expertise is no longer working class!

Dave Abrahams
120 Posted 15/06/2018 at 09:31:15
Kev (117), I would choose any of the members of The Blue Union who fought to keep Everton FC from going to Kirkby and proved, along with others that it was a wild goose chase engineered by Kenwright.

Kev, with all due respect, if Mrs Baxindale was doing such a great job at EiTC, she would have been better staying there with Big Nev as her assistant. He could have introduced himself to her, as apparently last time they met she didn't have a clue who he was, so much for her knowledge of Everton Football Club.

Kev Jones
121 Posted 15/06/2018 at 10:47:41
Dave (#120). Good call on the Blue Union as fan representatives and their role in avoiding the Kirby fiasco.

I did not know about the DBB own goal with Southall. Still, there's no question that she did do a lot of good work with EiTC and will bring those skills and experience to the CEO role. With Nev on board, she could make up for the gaps in her knowledge and together contribute to connecting success on the pitch to the local communities that are Everton.

Lenny Kingman
122 Posted 15/06/2018 at 11:15:42
# 29

"the appointment of a Stadium Development Director puts all the doubt to bed"

How so? It could mean that Goodison development is in the offing too. Let's hope not, but more clarity on which stadium would have been helpful.

Dave Abrahams
123 Posted 15/06/2018 at 12:28:53
Kev (121), Maybe Kev, maybe.
Brent Stephens
124 Posted 15/06/2018 at 12:44:39
A fan on the board sounds a good idea. I just wonder about the selection process. First of the multi-choice questions in the selection process – "Which one of the following is true: (a) Bill is the biggest Everton supporter ever; (b) there has been no bigger Everton supporter than Bill; (c) Bill is as big a legend as Everton".

Ernie (#118) "I work for a living – am I working class?" As my wife has always reminded me, I might work for a living but I have no class.

Jamie Crowley
125 Posted 15/06/2018 at 12:49:07
Fan on the board? I nominate Rob Halligan.

Home and away every game, level-headed, always has good ideas.

Sorted.

Bill Watson
126 Posted 15/06/2018 at 13:56:08
Brent (#124),
More a leg end lol.

I'm retired and happy in the knowledge I'm being kept in the style I've become accustomed to, by the toiling masses, whatever class they may be!

Good to see the debate has been widened to having a fan representative on the board!

John Wilson
127 Posted 15/06/2018 at 13:57:41
Look at solicitors regulation authority - bar standards board - Independent Police Complaints Committee - Financial Ombudsman - Land tribunal - Local Government Ombudsman - Parliament and Health Ombudsman. Higher Education Ombudsman (the effect but not the name for the arbitrator of universities).

There is no voice on Everton's board. There is no football ombudsman. So we need something different. When I heard Peter Reid say "Sam Allardyce is my mate," I thought no ex-players should be on the board. It should be the fans representing the fans.

It should be at least a couple of competent fans who can articulate the views of the fans. We need this level of transparency from Everton and accountability to the fans.

James Marshall
128 Posted 15/06/2018 at 14:23:44
We don't need fans on the board, just like we don't want lunatics running the asylum – haven't we had enough of that for the last 20 years with Kenwright's trainset mentality?

Time to modernise at last and have Everton run as a proper business, not a bloody hobby. I'm sick of supporting plucky little Everton – I want a cut-throat business, well-oiled machine capable of actually winning football matches on a consistent basis with a bloody great big stadium that isn't an embarrassment every time I look at it.

We're a relic of a bye-gone age, and it's time to look to the future and drop all this 'istory bollocks.

Fans on the board – why? I don't see any reason that would benefit anyone, aside from appeasing our fanbase that's so obsessed with the People's Club crap and how good we were in the 60s, 80s etc.

Will Mabon
129 Posted 15/06/2018 at 16:21:02
I want a cutthroat football team, it can be a business just beyond that.

But I know what you mean, James.

David Israel
130 Posted 15/06/2018 at 17:47:53
Having read some corrosive comments, which are understandable, given the constant let-downs over the years, and some sensible and optimistic ones, as well as some gems from The Morning Star, I might just add that the re-structuring, if to be expected when a new CEO is named, is most welcome, with only the caveat that too many people seem to be staying put, only with a different title.

It all at least shows that Farhad Moshiri is keen on having a modern set-up. The back room is very important in any organisation.

Dermot Byrne
131 Posted 15/06/2018 at 18:05:26
Hey...great start as we move up the commercial ladder pre-season:

"The Blues face Bury at Gigg Lane on Wednesday, July 18 before a trip to Ewood Park to take on Blackburn Rovers on Thursday, July 26." Echo today.

Don't crucify me, just having a laugh.

Paul Kossoff
132 Posted 18/06/2018 at 15:52:45
Seeing as our new CEO has done charity work, here is an appropriate read about our former striker Romelu Lukaku, I didn't know how poor this lad was:

Romelu Lukaku: I've got some things to say.


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