Argyle Board of Directors

PLYMOUTH Argyle Football Club have announced the start of a process designed to refresh its board of directors.

James Brent’s Akkeron Group bought the club in October 2011, and the first board was announced soon after.

Since then, the club has returned to profitability; repaid the substantial majority of its debt; brought in a new investor (who, together with his wife, has agreed to fund the new Grandstand); invested in its facilities; and has been promoted to League One.

The opportunities and challenges the club now faces are very different from those of six years ago, and that is felt to represent the opportunity for a refresh.

Furthermore, there is a clear appreciation of the need for greater diversity in the boardroom.

Accordingly, two of the existing directors, David Felwick and Peter Jones, will step down, to be replaced by two new directors who will each be invited to serve an initial three-year term.

The recruitment process will start shortly.

David and Peter will have served for two three-year terms. Both will retain their association with the club via associate directorships.

At the same time, Simon Hallett, who joined the board in April 2016, will be appointed to the role of Vice-Chairman.

James Brent remains Chairman, and Richard Holliday, Tony Wrathall, John Morgan stay on as non-executive directors. CEO Martyn Starnes is also a director.

Simon's appointment take effect immediately; the intention is to have the new board structure in place by October.

James Brent said: “The Board and I are incredibly grateful to David and Peter for the significant contribution they have made to our club over almost six years.

"They have both provided wise counsel and constructive challenge during recent good times and the really difficult first two years following the club's exit from administration.

 "There is considerable evidence that Boards which refresh their membership regularly and are diverse are much more effective than ones which do not. Diversity is even more important as we seek to grow membership of the Green Army with a particular focus on women and families.

"We look forward to maintaining a close relationship with David and Peter going forward. I also congratulate Simon on his elevation to Vice-Chairman and look forward to him making an even greater contribution to our Board.”

David Felwick said: “It has been a source of great personal pride and satisfaction for us to serve on the board of PAFC over the last six years and to see our club, not only survive, but prosper despite several early set-backs.

"We wish the Chairman and everyone at the club continued success and we look forward to watching a game from the new Grandstand.”

Peter Jones said: “It’s certainly been a challenging period. But we’re both really proud to have played a part, however small, in the club’s resurgence. That’s important for the fans, for the city, and indeed for the far south-west.

"And there’s absolutely no doubt that everyone associated with Argyle can now look forward with real optimism.”