In September 2022, our Chairman Mike Brown indicated his intention to step down from the Trust board on 31st May 2023, following a total of 10 years’ service at various times since the Trust formed in 2002.
Mike was first appointed as Chairman in May 2018 with a specific brief to oversee the sale of Bootham Crescent and the club’s move to the LNER Community Stadium. His appointment was only expected to last 18 months, but delays to the stadium build, Covid and the triggering of the Trust’s pre-emption rights has resulted in a five-year tenure, the longest of any Trust Chairman to date.
With effect from 1st June 2023 and in accordance with the Trust rules, the Trust board have appointed Seth Sowerby as Acting Chair, with a view to appointing him as Chairman following the next AGM and elections. Arrangements for the AGM are being made to take place later in the summer and notices will be sent to members in due course.
Seth is a lifelong supporter of the club and works as a senior software engineer for a major multinational technology company. His appointment as Acting Chair was approved unanimously by the Trust board who felt he had shown tenacity, diligence, and strong leadership during his time on the board and Scrutiny Committee.
Commenting on his appointment as Acting Chair, Seth Said:
“I’m honoured to be asked to take over as acting chair by the Trust board. This is a crucial period in the history of the supporters’ trust and the football club, and I shall endeavour to repay their trust. Replacing Mike is going to take a team effort as we work to safeguard the club and move the trust forward to best serve our members.”
Jim Calverley has also been appointed Vice-Chair via unanimous vote of the Trust Board this will also take affect from the 1st June 2023.
Following a request from the Trust board, Mike has agreed to remain on the football club board for an interim period. The board were keen to ensure that Mike’s in-depth knowledge of various legal contracts and club Articles of Association are utilised during any transition to new ownership. Mike will step down from the club board either upon the appointment of a replacement or shortly after the sale of Glen Henderson’s majority shareholding.
Speaking about his departure from the Trust board, Mike said:
“It was huge honour when our dearly departed friend John Lacy first asked me to step up as Chairman of the Trust. Little did I imagine how the story would unfold over the next five years.
With the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear that some mistakes have been made, but I remain confident that under the right stewardship, York City has all the necessary ingredients to be a hugely successful club that can galvanise our incredible community of fans. Work continues around the clock with several prospective investors to achieve that positive outcome.
I would like to thank all my family, friends, board colleagues, club staff, players, professional advisors, and most importantly the fans for the huge amount of support, encouragement and love they’ve shown me. It has given me the energy and determination to keep going during some very difficult and upsetting times.
I have every confidence that under Seth’s leadership, the Trust will continue to play a vital role in shaping a positive future for our club and I wish him and all of my board colleagues every success. CTID.”