Everton hierarchy departs to kick-off summer of change

Three Everton FC directors, including chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale, have stood down from their roles.

And the fate of chairman, Bill Kenwright, will be decided in the next 48 hours, the club said.

The sudden departure of Barrett-Baxendale, chief finance and strategy officer Grant Ingles, and former Everton centre forward and non-executive director Graeme Sharpe, have increased already-heightened expectations of news about a takeover, or new investment, in the club.

The board has not attended any home games at Goodison Park since January when it was alleged Barrett-Baxendale was put in a headlock by a fan, although no evidence was offered.

This has created a chasm between the board and the fans, who chanted for the board to be sacked following Everton’s latest brush with relegation when the club secured its Premier League status with a narrow 1-0 home win against Bournemouth on May 28.

Kenwright has been the focus of sustained criticism from a large section of the fan base, with many calling for him to stand down. Fans have urged majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri to appoint new directors with top business pedigrees.

Recent speculation has included Liverpool property developer, George Downing, and AJ Bell founder, Andy Bell, as possible contenders.

In a club statement late this afternoon (June 12), the club said: “The outgoing directors have worked tirelessly over recent months to assist with the preparation for a transition to a new board. The club is very appreciative of this generous accommodation, which is both characteristic of them, and entirely in the spirit of the best values of our club.”

A statement from the departing directors reads: “We have all been fully committed during our time here and are disappointed to have made the decision to leave Everton.

“We have worked tirelessly alongside our chairman in what has been a challenging period to deliver some of the most significant projects in Everton’s history – projects that will safeguard and sustain the commercial future of the club for generations to come.

“We are proud of the commercial growth projects progressed during our time on the board, including the construction of the club’s new waterfront stadium. This construction project – the largest currently on site in the UK – is progressing at pace.

“The club’s partnership portfolio has also been increased and diversified, reflected in record commercial partnerships and the expansion of our work internationally.

“In addition to these commercial achievements, we take great pride in the continued growth of the club’s social programmes and the plans that the board has put in place for the community-led regeneration scheme at Goodison Park.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as directors. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us during our time here. We wish the club we have loved to serve every success in the future.”

Everton said a statement will be made about interim appointments and the future of the chairman in the next 48 hours.

In the meantime, Chairman Bill Kenwright said: “This has been a great board who have all worked tirelessly for the club, no matter what the circumstances.

“My relationship with Denise has been known as one of the closest in football. I thank her for her many achievements, particularly her magnificent work in respect of our new stadium.”

Before joining Everton, Barrett-Baxendale worked for a small schools charity in Liverpool, called The Fiveways Trust. Her first role at Everton was in 2010 when she began leading the club’s charity, Everton in the Community.

In 2011, Barrett-Baxendale was appointed as Everton’s chief operating officer, and then deputy chief executive in 2013. In 2016, she joined the board of directors at Everton and two years later she replaced Robert Elstone as the club’s chief executive officer.

Everton has once again avoided the relegation trap door, but its tribulations remain ahead of the 2023-24 season. It is currently under investigation over Financial Fair Play rules and could be hit with a points deduction, or a transfer embargo.

And Mr Moshiri is seeking new investment in the club after the cost of the new stadium under construction on the banks of the River Mersey jumped from £500m to £760m.