Three of Everton’s board members have left their roles with a statement regarding chairman Bill Kenwright’s future following in 48 hours.
Everton announced at 5pm on Monday that Chief Executive Officer, Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Chief Finance and Strategy Officer Grant Ingles and Non-Executive Director Graeme Sharp had all departed, stating that: “The outgoing Directors have worked tirelessly over recent months to assist with the preparation for a transition to a new Board. The club is very appreciative of this generous accommodation, which is both characteristic of them, and entirely in the spirit of the best values of our club.”
A statement from the departing Directors read: “We have all been fully committed during our time here and are disappointed to have made the decision to leave Everton.
“We have worked tirelessly alongside our Chairman in what has been a challenging period to deliver some of the most significant projects in Everton’s history – projects that will safeguard and sustain the commercial future of the club for generations to come.
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“We are proud of the commercial growth projects progressed during our time on the Board, including the construction of the club’s new waterfront stadium. This construction project – the largest currently on site in the UK - is progressing at pace.
“The club’s partnership portfolio has also been increased and diversified, reflected in record commercial partnerships and the expansion of our work internationally.
“In addition to these commercial achievements, we take great pride in the continued growth of the club’s social programmes and the plans that the Board has put in place for the community-led regeneration scheme at Goodison Park.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as Directors. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us during our time here. We wish the club we have loved to serve every success in the future.”
Meanwhile, the announcement added that a statement will be made about interim appointments and the future of the Chairman in the next 48 hours.
Bill Kenwright said: “This has been a great Board who have all worked tirelessly for the Club, no matter what the circumstances. My relationship with Denise has been known as one of the closest in football. I thank her for her many achievements, particularly her magnificent work in respect of our new stadium.”
Neither Kenwright nor the rest of the board have been to a match since Sean Dyche became manager with his appointment following on from board members being absent for the previous home match against Southampton on January 14 due to what was cited at the time by the club as security concerns. There have also been pre-match protest marches by fan groups on the streets outside of Goodison Park ahead of subsequent fixtures against both the board and owner Farhad Moshiri, who has not been to the ground since Everton’s 5-2 defeat to Watford on October 23, 2021.
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