Kris Stewart to depart from Dons Trust Board to help out at AFC Wimbledon
Departure sees several other changes to key personnel
The AFCW PLC board has asked Kris to help out temporarily at AFC Wimbledon while the recruitment process for a new MD gets under way.
To ensure good governance and avoid any confusion over roles and responsibilities, Kris has immediately stepped down as a director both of The Dons Trust and all AFC Wimbledon group companies, including AFCW PLC.
As a consequence, the DT board will have a new chair in Michele Little, with Graeme Price becoming vice chair. The DT board will be appointing a replacement director for AFCW PLC and other AFC Wimbledon group companies at its scheduled meeting on Wednesday 13 September.
During Kris’s time as Chair, the organisation has overseen a significant restructuring of the club and the role of the trust itself, moving from an organisation with a much more active role in the day-to-day running of the club itself, to one where it is concerned with ensuring it reflects the nature of the club as a fan-owned entity, and is held to account for its decisions.
In terms of how the club operates day-to-day, major changes have been brought in, including the separating the playing side with the creation of the Head of Football role now held by Craig Cope, from the new role of Managing Director. This has allowed a more clear focus to help develop the potential of the club and its Plough Lane home as a stadium, venue and community hub for its communities.
Commenting on Kris’s departure, Michele Little and Graeme Price said:
“We’re immensely grateful for the leadership Kris has shown in this time, and it’s a testament to his capabilities that he’s been asked to step into the breach at a time when we need the calm, thoughtful but purposeful leadership that Kris brings.” Any further updates on Kris’s role and the recruitment of a new MD will be made by AFCW PLC.
The board of AFCW PLC has also issued a statement about this. Please go to afcwimbledon.co.uk to read it