Good governance task for Plymouth Argyle's new board

THREE non-executive directors have been appointed by Plymouth Argyle.

They are retail industry leader David Felwick CBE, sport finance specialist banker Richard Holliday and former Pilgrims vice chairman Peter Jones.

Argyle's finance director Martin Baker has also taken up the position of acting chief executive.

And Jason Turner is now the club's general manager, which incorporates the duties of his former role as football secretary.

Argyle owner James Brent will remain as the club's interim chairman.

But the intention is the board will eventually decide on a full-time chairman from among them or, possibly even, from outside.

Brent announced the appointments at an open meeting with supporters at the Plymouth Guildhall on Saturday morning.

Felwick, Holliday and Jones were all introduced to the fans by Brent, who rescued the Pilgrims from administration at the end of October.

He believes the League Two club are in safe hands under the newly-assembled board.

Brent told the meeting: "My personal view is that a statutory board of directors must be people who provide good governance and direction for the club.

"It shouldn't be folk who are willing to buy their way into a boardroom seat and enjoying the football.

"I think we have done that in terms of the three non-executive directors who have joined the club."

Holliday specialises in sport finance and has led significant transactions for Arsenal and Liverpool.

Brent said: "As a sports financier, without boosting his position too much, he's as good as they get."

On Felwick, Brent said: "David is probably one of the top retailers in the country.

"He was managing director of Waitrose for a number of years and deputy chairman of the John Lewis Partnership.

"Prior to that, he was in the armed forces. He was a wing commander in the RAF, which is clearly helpful given the military connections of the city.

"Most importantly, he went to Devonport High School for Boys and is a lifelong Pilgrim," added the Pilgrims' owner.

That earned a round of applause from the packed audience at the Guildhall.

Jones needed little introduction, having been vice-chairman of Argyle from 2001 to 2005, during one of the club's most successful spells in their recent history.

Brent added: "The view I have taken is that in terms of appointing a chairman it is a decision to be taken by the board, rather than me.

"So I will carry on chairing the football club in the interim. It will give the board a chance to work out whether one of its members should step up to the role, or we should get someone from outside."

Baker was appointed as Argyle's finance director on Brent's takeover of the club. Turner was already working as football secretary and Brent praised the pair for doing a 'fabulous job' in the intervening period.

Brent had been impressed by the way Turner had handled transfers, loan extensions and contracts for players.

He said: "The feedback I get from chatting to other clubs, and from my own observations, is he's the best in the industry and I think we are very fortunate to have Jason."

As general manager, Turner will focus primarily on football-related matters, but he will attend to other administrational duties.

Brent continued: "Martin has been operating as finance director of the club, and has been trying to get the commercial, retail and hospitality side sorted out.

"For the time being, Martin has agreed to step up to become acting chief executive."

Also at the meeting, Brent outlined the aspirations he and the board had for Argyle, although some will take time to achieve.

They include ensuring the club is soundly financed and managed with integrity.

Brent fully supports the Football League's salary cap of 55 per cent of turnover being spent on player wages in League Two.

He stated on a couple of occasions he would not be prepared to try to bend those rules to achieve success on the pitch.

The board are committed to the club remaining in the Football League, which Brent believes is 'by far the biggest club in the region'.

He said: "It's my strong view that Argyle should, and can, be a successful and sustainable club in the Championship.

"That would be a position which is commensurate with the support from the Green Army."

The board also want to enhance Home Park as a sporting and leisure destination by improving the facilities.

Replacing the old Grandstand is clearly on the agenda for the new regime.

Brent said: "We have three decent stands, and a Grandstand which is a fantastic relic of times past.

"In it, there are urinals that are quite stunning. Thankfully, I haven't had to use them!"

Brent promised to deliver 'high quality sporting facilities' and admitted the building of a hotel on land owned by the club was probable.

JAMES BRENT TO GIVE FANS A VOICE

ARGYLE supporters are being given the chance to have a direct say in the running of the club.

That will be through the setting up of the Green Army Supervisory Board.

Argyle's interim chairman and owner, James Brent, believes the fans have an 'important voice' as the club tries to rebuild after their period in administration.

Brent stressed the GASB would be independent of the club. He said: "It will be democratically controlled by the fanbase and they can choose who the directors are."

He hopes it will provide 'constructive challenge' and 'alternative views' on a wide range of topics to the Pilgrims' new board.

The GASB will have seven directors, who will appoint a chairman from among themselves.

Three of the directors will be nominated – one each – by the Argyle Fans' Trust, the Green Taverners and the officially-affiliated supporters' club branches.

The other four will be elected by the fanbase as a whole.

Season ticket holders will be able to vote in person or by post. Other supporters will get the chance to do so at a nominated home game.

The Argyle Fans' Trust will be asked to oversee the election process.

The GASB will be invited to meet the Argyle board at least four times a year to discuss matters of concern to supporters.

However, Brent told an open meeting of supporters at the Plymouth Guildhall on Saturday that it would be on a bi-monthly basis.

The GASB will inform the Argyle board of the fans' views and provide a constructive challenge on key matters.

They will also ensure the fans are kept fully informed on developments at Home Park, and assist the club with community engagement and the attraction of new members of the Green Army.

However, some concern was expressed by supporters at the meeting that the GASB could overshadow the work of the Argyle Fans' Trust.

Brent also announced the Trust would be given the opportunity to acquire up to a 20 per cent shareholding in the club.

They will be able to exercise this option up to September 30, 2012.

Brent was asked about the possible cost involved and replied it would be a 'fair arms length price for the investment'.

He explained the Argyle board were ambivalent about whether the Trust took up the offer.

"They can do so if they want," said Brent. "The club does not need the money and there is no pressure on them to do so."

Argyle were forced into administration, with debts totalling £17 million, last March.

That led to the collapse of the club's former company, in which there were many independent shareholders, in addition to the board of directors.

Some fans at the meeting wanted to know whether individual shares would be possible in the future.

Brent said that had already been considered, and he would 'revisit the idea' but feared the cost of arranging for that to take place would be prohibitive.