Change at helm as new Sports Trust is set for shares control
David Sutherland will step down as
chairman of Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC as construction company
Tulloch, principal shareholders of the Inverness club, seeks to
transfer its shareholding to a new Inverness Sports Trust. The changes will take effect from the club's AGM in August.
Mr Sutherland's successor at the helm of the SPL club will be Alan
Savage, founder and chairman of Inverness-based international
recruitment specialists The Orion Group. He has been a strong supporter
and sponsor of the club and its youth development programme.
Mike Crowe, head of LifeScan Scotland, the club's shirt sponsors and a
major employer in the city, has accepted an invitation to join the
club's board.
The new Inverness Sports Trust will be launched with a £200,000
donation from Tulloch. The Trust directors will be Mr Sutherland and
Caley Thistle director George Fraser, deputy chairman of Tulloch plc.
Mr Sutherland said:"I flagged up when I became chairman just under a
year ago that I did not see it as a long-term measure because of
my other commitments. I also feel that a club like ours should be open
to fresh leadership, probably on a three-year cycle.
"Thus I will be stepping down but I have put in place a strategy for
the continued success of ICT FC under the leadership of a highly
successful businessman in Alan Savage, working closely with the Board
and Chief Executive Mike Smith, who has full responsibility for the
club's administrative and commercial arms. Graeme Bennett will continue as director of football.
"I'm delighted that Alan has accepted an invitation from the Board to
take the helm and he knows he can rely on my continued support.I would
like to thank my fellow directors for their backing and commitment
during my time as chairman."
Mr Sutherland added:"I have a wider interest in sport and, having given
the club a significant financial legacy, I wish to provide through
Inverness Sports Trust a vehicle to assist a range of other sports,
including athletics and shinty.
"The Tulloch shares in the club will transfer to Inverness Sports Trust
when fiscally expedient. Tulloch will give the Sports Trust initial
funding of £200,000 to give it recognition and profile. We hope there
will eventually be further financial backers."
Incoming ICT FC chairman Alan Savage said:"I'm very honoured to be
invited to take the chair at a club whose fortunes I have followed
since its inception.
"David Sutherland is a hard act to follow but I've been assured I can
call on him for advice at any time. I look forward to working with the
directors and staff to underpin and extend the club's outstanding
progress. Our third SPL season beckons, under talented young manager
Charlie Christie, and we all need to work diligently in pursuit of
ensuring Caley Thistle have the best possible opportunity to
survive and prosper in the top flight.
"Running a business like Orion, with a £150 million turnover, has given
me expertise which I hope can benefit Caley Thistle. Orion has grown
worldwide from Inverness over the past 20 years and being club chairman
will help me put something back in to the city from which my company
has flourished."
After the AGM, the directors of the club will thus be Alan Savage
(Chairman), Graeme Bennett, Sandy Catto, Mike Crowe, George Fraser and
Ken Mackie.
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By Guest •
Chairman to step downTeaser Paragraph:Change at helm as new Sports Trust is set for shares control David Sutherland will step down as chairman of Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC as construction company Tulloch, principal shareholders of the Inverness club, seeks to transfer its shareholding to a new Inverness Sports Trust. The changes will take effect from the club's AGM in August.
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