Aston Villa News 24/7Writer: J P Fear 
Date:Monday November 20 2006
Time: 9:34AM
UK time is: 15:14:41
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The Villa Board Takes Shape
Aston Villa announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
Richard FitzGerald is the new CEO and Robin Russell is the Chief Financial Officer.
At last, we have a professional board once again, one with a CEO and Finance director, things are taking a proper shape so now we can see the difference between running Villa as a top club and running it as a corner shop!
The official site explains: Richard joins from IMG, the sports, entertainment and media group, where he worked for 18 years, lately as Senior Vice President and head of IMG's New Media International business.
For those that don't know, IMG - in their own words - is the world's premier Sports, Entertainment and Media Company Link to their site: Click Here
Richard FitzGerald joins non-exec Bob Kain who also worked for IMG.
Again, the official site explains of our new CEO He has worked extensively in the sports media business including four years based in Cleveland, Ohio.His clients included the F.A. Premier League, KNVB, Manchester United, The Wimbledon Championships and the European Golf Tour.He will join the club effective 1st January 2007.
So he basically knows what he is doing, HURRAH!
And of the new finance director:
Robin Russell joins the club after 12 year's as Chief Financial Officer of MBNA Europe, the credit card bank specialising in affinity marketing.As CFO, Robin was in charge of financial reporting, treasury and financial planning and analysis at MBNA Europe.He joins the club in a full time capacity as from today.
The Board of Aston Villa have stated: 'We are delighted to welcome Richard and Robin to lead the business activities at Aston Villa. Both bring proven professional track records, defined most importantly by commitment and integrity. The Villa Directors extend them our warmest welcome.'
So the board is shaping up like this:
Chairman: Randolph Lerner
CEO: Richard FitzGerald
Finance Director: Robin Russell
Operations Director: Steve Stride
Non-Executive Director: General Charles C. Krulak
Non Executive Director: Bob Kain
Non Executive Director: Michael Martin
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Your Comments
Great news for a Monday morning, now we should really see changes at Villa, no more yes men and freeloaders, we'll now have people determined to bring success to Villa, not just to themselves.
The Fear
it just keeps getting better all the time
jonah
Aren't IMG the guys behind the Tevez/Maschereno deals or am I totally confused as usual?
DeanoVilla
IMG have nothing to do with the West ham deals. Entirely different organisation so Fear not.
Gordonsleftboot
I agree that the next few years will be very interesting as the club seeks to raise its profile at home and abroad. I remember hearing that the Cheslki plan was to raise the profile through big buys and success and then to trade profitably once the club had been moved to a new level. No doubt we will be following a different and more controlled plan but at least we are now targeting the top instead of just dreaming about it.
Gordonsleftboot
Great to see a professional board taking shape. All the members on the board have serious business experience, which makes a real change! Not one travel agent amongst any of them!
Geordie_Villa
Excellant news proper business men and not one tit trader amongst them.
silkie villain
For you peeps who didn't know IMG have a division called TWI.Who basically are involved in most of the worlds largest sporting events.
The premier league preview show on sky..TWI.To have a CEO from a sport orientated company running a sport business.To have a CFO from a financial institution running a finance division, as they say keep it simple.This is excellent news people with the right strengths in the right jobs maximising Aston Villa to achieve it's full potential.By the way 4 points out 6 at Everton and Wigan is excellent and I have to say our away fans are fantastic..all I could hear where the boys emptying their lungs!...The futures bright, the futures Villa!
By the way great post on the General's interview, have been so busy not been able to keep catch up.
OneloveVilla
Exciting, important, and much needed arrivals. Top quality professional business people, with impressive pedigrees. Something we have totally lacked at Villa Park for years. Great news. An excellent way to kick off the working week.
glensider
Maybe these are the new transfers we have been waiting for, can they play a bit?
col8
Still surprised that Stride remains. He is like a fish out of water compared to the new breed of professionals moving in.
glensider
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