Everton Begins Process To Elect Fan Advisory Board
The process to elect members to Everton’s independent Fan Advisory Board (FAB) has launched, with the final make-up of the panel set to represent key supporter groups and the diversity of the club’s global fanbase.
Once established, the FAB will be consulted on long-term strategic issues and will meet regularly with the club’s hierarchy, including members of the Board of Directors.
Following collaboration between the football club and the Everton Stakeholder Steering Group (ESSG) and consultation with a wide range of fan and stakeholder groups, it has been determined that the FAB will comprise 11 members – seven of whom will be elected representatives democratically nominated by groups making up the ESSG (‘reserved’ positions) and four of whom will be determined by an open fan vote (‘unreserved’ positions).
The seven reserved positions will be for a three-year term and will be occupied by one member each of the Everton Disabled Supporters’ Association (ESDA), the Everton Fans’ Forum, the Everton Supporters’ Club Committee, the Everton Heritage Society, the Everton Women Supporters’ Club, a member from a group associated to the Football Supporters’ Association, and a representative of Everton’s International Supporters’ Club network.
The remaining four unreserved positions will be appointed by an open and independently-verified vote but will include at least one Everton shareholder and at least one supporter representing a group with a protected characteristic as defined by the Equality Act of 2010. To allow for an annual election process, two of the four elected unreserved positions will be for three-year terms, with the other two positions being for one-year terms.
Everton confirmed in December last year that it was committed to collaborating with the ESSG to determine how meaningful fan representation at Board level on strategic matters at the club could be developed following the findings of the Government’s fan-led review of football.
The ESSG, a coalition of independent supporters’ groups which represents more than 20,000 Blues, was established as Everton sought to inform its own responses to the Government’s review. The group helped shape a fan survey that attracted responses from more than 10,000 Evertonians and which indicated overwhelming support (91 per cent) for the creation of a supporter committee or custodian group.
Working with the club, the ESSG has since devised the Terms of Reference, informed by consultation with stakeholder groups and a fan survey, that outline the FAB’s mission, objectives and composition. Once active, the FAB will be consulted on matters including the club’s strategic vision, plans for broader supporter engagement, the relocation to a new stadium and the subsequent Goodison Legacy Project, finance and revenue generation, and any proposals relating to club heritage.
To read FAQs that outline the shortlisting and election process in more detail, visit evertonfc.com/FanAdvisoryBoard
