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ICT PRESS RELEASE - Chairman to Step Down


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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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