The Dons Trust Board (DTB) runs the Dons Trust and is currently made up of ten elected members.
The board must have no fewer than eight and not more than twelve members. Up to three further members may be co-opted, to help with the work of the board and to add diversity, skills and experience.
As well as ensuring that the Dons Trust is run according to the decisions and aspirations of members, the role of the DTB is to set and embed the culture, mission and strategic direction of the Trust and Club, in consultation with members, and to ensure that AFC Wimbledon is managed to achieve that direction.
The DTB appoints the operational board (the board of AFCW PLC) and is represented on that board. It also approves annual budgets and significant investment decisions.
The board usually meets once a month and minutes of board meetings are published, along with regular summaries of the discussions. The board also produces a monthly newsletter which is emailed to members.
The board takes collective responsibility for its work. All board members are engaged together in consulting, agreeing, monitoring and updating our strategic direction. The rest of the board’s work is organised into working groups.
- Communications
- Constitution
- Culture, mission, and oversight
- Fundraising.
Each group has terms of reference and membership agreed by the full board. Any significant proposals or recommendations come to the full board for discussion and decision.
Board members are listed below. Each board member plays a part in at least one of the working groups and individual responsibilities are agreed within the groups.
We hold at least three members’ meetings a year – all at our stadium of course. There are other events organised (online and in-person) where you can chat to board members – keep an eye on the website and the Dons Trust on BlueSky @thedonstrust.bsky.social, Facebook The Dons Trust and X @TheDonsTrust
Board members are always on hand at the Dons Trust kiosk (behind the Reston Waste south stand) before home matches. Share your thoughts by email to info@thedonstrust.org or with an individual board member using the addresses below, and members can engage with fellow members and the board on the Dons Trust Discord forum – follow the instructions here to sign-up.
2024 Board members
Sean McLaughlin (Chair)
(chair@thedonstrust.org, sean.mclaughlin@thedonstrust.org)
Elected: December 2024 (for 3 years)
Angus Fox (Vice Chair)
(angus.fox@thedonstrust.org)
Elected: December 2023 (for 3 years)
Martin Drake
(martin.drake@thedonstrust.org)
Elected: December 2024 (for 1 year)
Alex Folkes
(alex.folkes@thedonstrust.org)
Elected: December 2024 (for 1 year)
Ivor Heller
(ivor.heller@thedonstrust.org)
Elected: December 2024 (for 3 years) but not able to take up position
Simon Hood
(simon.hood@thedonstrust.org)
Elected: December 2024 (for 1 year)
Hannah Kitcher
(hannah.kitcher@thedonstrust.org)
Elected: December 2023 (for 3 years)
James Longhurst
(james.longhurst@thedonstrust.org)
Elected: December 2024 (for 2 years)
Graeme Price
(graeme.price@thedonstrust.org)
Elected: December 2024 (for 3 years)
Ian Robinson
(ian.robinson@thedonstrust.org)
Elected: December 2024 (for 3 years)
Working groups and their members
- Communications: Alex Folkes (Chair), Martin Drake, Hannah Kitcher, James Longhurst, Ian Robinson
- Constitution: Sean McLaughlin (Chair), TBC
- Culture & Mission and Oversight: Angus Fox (Chair), Graeme Price, James Longhurst, Ian Robinson, Michele Little
- Fundraising: Graeme Price (Chair), James Longhurst, Simon Hood.
Other board member responsibilities
- Women’s board representative: Hannah Kitcher
- PLC board representatives: Angus Fox. Sean McLaughlin, Graeme Price
- DTB liaison with AFC Wimbledon Foundation, WiSH and DLAG: Angus Fox
- DTB lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Angus Fox
- DTB programme copy coordinator and cross-body calendar coordinator: Martin Drake
The board is supported by a Treasurer:
Michele Little (Treasurer)
(treasurer@thedonstrust.org)
The board is supported by a Secretariat including:
George Jones
(secretary@thedonstrust.org)
Acting Secretary
Reece Wheeler-Kelly
(asst.sec@thedonstrust.org)
Assistant Secretary
The Dons Trust’s membership secretary is Stephen Godfrey (membership@thedonstrust.org).
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
The Dons Trust is the majority owner of AFC Wimbledon, a fan-owned, inclusive club, entrenched in our community – with equality and inclusion for all at its core. The trust is guardian of all principles and aims by which our club operates.
At The Dons Trust, just as with AFC Wimbledon, everyone – regardless of their background, abilities and beliefs – should feel welcome. This is an integral part of our ethos.
This statement reflects our commitment to EFL’s Clubs Equality Code of Practice and is endorsed by the Dons Trust board. We are all committed to engaging with all members of our community and will ensure that everyone who wishes to engage with the activities of the trust, has a real and equal opportunity to do so.
We fully endorse the entirety of the club statement on EDI which you can read on their website.