Motherwell Football Club and majority shareholder, The Well Society, have strengthened their leadership teams with key board appointments.
Kyrk Macmillan, Chief Executive Officer of Scottish fashion brand Bee Inspired, joins as Club Chair. He is joined on the Executive Board by digital marketing chief executive Greg Anderson and Professor Grant Jarvie, Director of Academy Sport at the University of Edinburgh.
Kyrk, originally from East Kilbride, brings 11 years’ experience of commercial and operational director roles in the Nordics, where he was selected as one of the top three young business talents in Denmark.
Kyrk has worked on commercial projects in conjunction with English and Danish premiership clubs and has family ties to the club board at Hertha Berlin where his father in law has served on the board for several years. In Denmark, he also held the role of Chief Executive at a large Danish retail business.
“It is a true honour and privilege to be elected as Chairman of Motherwell Football club,” he said.
“I started coming to games 30 years ago with my father and grandfather. I have been amazed by the dedication and passion of both the Well Society and Club staff.
“I have had the fortune of building relationships with the Well Society board members, and we share a common vision of ensuring close collaboration between the club and Society, building on core values of transparency, community and integrity.
“The Well Society elections and the publication of the vision document – ‘Our Club, Our Future’ – has shown that we have an incredibly skilled and energised community, and we must ensure we provide a platform and culture of unity, and which brings that to fruition.
“Having the opportunity to lead the Executive Board as Chairman is an opportunity that I could not be prouder and more excited to undertake to ensure we provide the platform for success both off and on the pitch.”
Elected Well Society Board Member Greg Anderson, a long-time sponsor of the club, said: “It’s a tremendous honour to join the Club Executive Board.
“I am under no illusions as to the required hours and hard work that lie ahead in ensuring our clubs staff are fully supported in developing the club off the park to ensure we have the very best resources to be successful on the park on a match day.”
Originally from Bellshill and a lifelong Motherwell supporter Grant is currently Chair of Sport at the University of Edinburgh. A well-known name in the world of sport and education, Grant has held roles both within and external to university higher education sector and the football industry having worked with a number of clubs including FC Barcelona.
“I have been fortunate enough to see what football can do to help communities all over the world,” he stated. “As a town and diaspora of big hearts, broad shoulders and bold dreams, Motherwell has a heritage of legendary sports figures and moments but also has a football and Well Society whose future is focused on serving communities, players and fans. I look forward to helping Motherwell be the very best it can be.”
The Well Society’s Tom Feely continues as Club Executive Board Director along with Chief Executive Brian Caldwell and Financial Director David Lindsay.
Graham Keys has stepped down from his role as Company Secretary after 12 years’ service but will continue to assist the Club as required. We thank Graham for all his dedication, support and advice.
The Well Society Board
Philip Speedie, a programme manager in the Scottish financial sector, and former stadium announcer, is elected as Chair of The Well Society. Philip was at the forefront of the defence of fan ownership, initiated the Society’s workstream focus, involving a wider range of contributors, and was instrumental to the development of the plan for growth – ‘Our Club, Our Future’.
Tom Feely and Amber Johnstone have been elected as Vice-Chairs. Alison Thewliss, David Cullinan and Kevin Rogers have been co-opted, following competitive interview and selection, to take the Well Society Board to its maximum 12 directors.
A lifelong Motherwell fan, Alison is Chair of the urban regeneration company, Clyde Gateway. A former MP and councillor, she brings significant experience of governance, stakeholder and membership engagement.
David has over 10 years of experience in the finance and tech sectors, showcasing a proven track record of success.
Kevin was formerly CEO of Paycare, a major sponsor of Motherwell FC, and is Chair of the Wolves Foundation, the Premier League club’s official charity. He brings over 30 years in senior management experience across the health, manufacturing, automotive and construction sectors.
“Motherwell is a special place, and a special club with so much potential,” Brian Caldwell said.
“We were the first to embrace fan ownership, which brings unique opportunities.
“I’ve spoken openly about the strength of the relationship between myself as Chief Executive, the Executive Team, The Well Society, The Community Trust and others.
“Today’s key leadership appointments at the Football Club and The Well Society – announced together – strengthen our focus and signal a shared ambition for the future of this football club. This is a key moment for our club, our fans and community and I look forward to working with the strengthened team.”
Philip Speedie added: “Not only are we ambitious, climbing the league table on the park, but we’ve a shared vision off the park – to accelerate our success as Scotland’s first top-flight fan owned football club.
“‘Our Club, Our Future’ represents a realistic and ambitious plan for growth. Refreshing our leadership, governance, growth and engagement models were key elements of our plans for the coming years.”
