Everton has appointed Dr Denise Barrett-Baxendale M.B.E. to the club’s Board.
Denise joined Everton in 2010 as Chief Executive of Everton in the Community and also became the Club’s Chief Operating Officer in 2011, with responsibility for the HR, ICT, Stadium Operations and Stadium Safety and Security teams.
Since 2013, when she was appointed as Deputy Chief Executive, she has worked closely with the Chief Executive and Board of Directors to develop and implement a number of the club’s off-the-field strategies.
Denise said: “I am so proud to have been invited to join the club’s Board and I am very grateful to Mr Kenwright and Mr Moshiri for giving me the opportunity to help achieve the owners’ and Directors’ ambition for Everton.
“This is something I am really excited by and a responsibility I take very seriously. There is so much we want to do to take this great club forward and I am confident that through the Board’s ambition and the talent within our Senior Executive Team we can make positive progress very quickly.”
Chairman Bill Kenwright added: “On behalf of all the Directors and Farhad, I am pleased to welcome Denise to the Board. I’m pleased for her, of course, but also pleased for every Evertonian as I know Denise will be such a dedicated custodian of our Club.
“Over the last six years, Denise has brought energy and tenacity to both the Club and the Charity. She has transformed Everton in the Community – making it one of the most respected sports charities in the world and, most importantly, led initiatives that have changed and saved lives across the city.
“Working with Robert Elstone, Denise has also played a significant role in some of the club’s most important projects; projects that are not always seen from the outside but have helped put us in the strong position we are in today.
“Put simply, Denise embodies Everton. She embodies the People’s Club. To have her on the Board just makes perfect sense.”
Robert Elstone, Chief Executive of Everton Football Club and Club Director, added: “The work Denise has done for both our Charity and our Club has been outstanding.
“Everton in the Community now runs schemes to address almost every social need in our community. From the Free School – giving opportunity to hundreds of young people each year – to programmes for the homeless and those living with physical and mental health conditions, the Charity, led by Denise, makes a huge difference to people’s lives.
“Everton in the Community is the best there is.
“For the club, she has taken the lead on many major projects, including restructuring the organisation, resulting in the strongest off-the-field team I’ve known during my time here. I’m delighted to welcome Denise on to the Board and excited by what lies ahead for us all.”
Denise will continue in her role as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the club and will take up the new position of Executive Chair at Everton in the Community.
She becomes the fifth member of the new-look Everton Board, joining Alexander Ryazantsev and Robert Elstone who were appointed following the investment into Everton by Farhad Moshiri in February.
