Board Change

RNS Number : 8721H

Celtic PLC

03 June 2011

 

 

Celtic plc

Change to Celtic plc Board

Celtic plc (the "Company") is pleased to announce that Ian Bankier has today joined its   Board as an independent non-executive director.

The Company also advises that its current Chairman, Dr John Reid, will be stepping down as Chairman and as a director at the Company's annual general meeting which will be held on Friday 14^th October 2011. Subject to Mr Bankier's election as a director by shareholders at that time, Mr Bankier will succeed Dr Reid as Chairman.

Dr Reid commented,

"It has been an honour to have been Chairman of this great club for the past four years. I will always be grateful for the support, encouragement and friendship I have received from Dermot Desmond and my colleagues on the board, the management and staff and, above all, the greatest supporters any club chairman could wish. That is something I will forever value.

We have come through a challenging period, but I believe we have come through stronger than ever. We now have in place a new, young talented managerial team led by Neil Lennon and capable of great things. Equally, we have recruited and shaped a new, young and talented squad whose promise for the future we have only begun to glimpse.  Under Peter Lawwell's stewardship we have weathered the storm of financial recession that has so badly afflicted other clubs. Hopefully, we have provided impetus to the reform of our wider football institutions. Above all, throughout all of these challenges we stood together, more united than ever. 

Rebuilding and renewal is a continuing process on the park. And so it must also be on our Board of Directors. Over the past few years we have followed a policy of continually refreshing the Board with new, talented members. I believe this is now the right time to do likewise with the chairmanship, to lead us through the next stage of our development from the next AGM, and ensuring an orderly and smooth transition. I have great pleasure in welcoming Ian Bankier, who joins the Board as our new Director and Chairman designate.  Chairman of Celtic is a demanding role but Ian is someone of considerable experience and achievement.  He will be a formidable addition to the Board and will greatly strengthen our development over the coming years.

For my part, I will always be grateful for the opportunity and the comradeship which I have received. I will leave the Chairman's post as I joined it, a Celtic supporter first and last."       

 Mr Bankier added,

"I was brought up in Glasgow, and have spent much of my career here and in Scotland.  As a long-standing supporter of the Club I feel very privileged to be invited not only to join the Board of Celtic, but later to become its Chairman. I am looking forward to it tremendously and hope that my own contributions to the future success and well-being of this extraordinary Club will be as positive and beneficial as those of my predecessors."

Peter Lawwell, Chief Executive commented

"John has been an extremely committed and enthusiastic Chairman, and is a true Celtic supporter. The entire Celtic executive, management and staff acknowledge the contribution he has made to the Club over the last 4 years. We are looking forward to working with Ian as he settles into his new role as a director and Chairman designate."

Neil Lennon added,

"I  have benefitted enormously from an excellent relationship with the Chairman  in my short time as Celtic manager. He has provided me with great support and valuable guidance through some very difficult times. He has been a passionate advocate for the Club and the team, and we all wish him well."

Ian Patrick Bankier (59) is Executive Chairman of Glenkeir Whiskies Limited, a company he substantially owns.  Glenkeir operates The Whisky Shop chain which is the UK's largest specialist retailer of whiskies.  He has been involved in the Scotch whisky industry for 15 years having been Managing Director of Burn Stewart Distillers PLC and Chief Executive of CL World Brands Limited.

Mr Bankier's formative career was as a solicitor and he was a partner of McGrigors for 15 years where he specialised in corporate law.

Mr Bankier's list of other directorships within the last 5 years is attached.

He does not hold any shares in the capital of the Company.

There are no further details to be disclosed under AIM Rule 17 relating to Mr Bankier's appointment.

Notes:

Press and media enquires to Alex Barr, BIG Partnership 0141 333 9585.

IAN P BANKIER

CURRENT DIRECTORSHIPS

AD Export Limited

ADE Scotch Whisky Limited

Ascot Publishing Limited

Food Science Limited

Glenkeir Whiskies Limited

Highland Industries Limited

Independent Pension Trustees PLC

Lomond Golf Syndicate Limited

MIH Technologies Limited

Stratus Energy Limited

Tulloch Homes Group Limited

In the past five years, Mr Bankier was a director of the following companies:

AH2 Realisations Limited

AH3 Realisations Limited

AHR Realisations Limited

TSG Scotch Whisky Limited

 

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