Huddersfield Town is delighted to announce that Sean Jarvis is now appointed as a Board Director with immediate effect.
Sean, 42, moved from Oldham Athletic to become Director of Business Development of both Huddersfield Town and the Huddersfield Giants in August 2006 before becoming focused on the Football Club on a full-time basis in July 2008, shortly after Dean Hoyle invested in the Club. He will now expand his role to become Commercial Director.
He has been primarily involved in developing new income and sponsorship activities over the past three years - securing lucrative deals such as Casino Red and Thornton + Ross's sponsorship of the 2009/10 away kit - Sean's new role will see him focus on growing all the Club's commercial revenue streams.
Jarvis has also been instrumental in improving relations between the Club and its fans since his arrival, being the driving force behind the formation of one single supporters group - now known as the Huddersfield Town Supporters Association. He has also pushed hard for other supporter-based initiatives, such as seating home fans in the Pink Link Stand.
New Huddersfield Town Chairman Dean Hoyle told the Club's official website that Sean's appointment to the Board is a natural progression following his work over the past three years and in particular since he gave up his role with the Giants.
"I am delighted to welcome Sean to the Board as a Director, where I am sure that he will continue to build on the successes that I have seen him achieve during his full-time role as the Club's Director of Business Development and before that while working for both Town and the Giants."
Chief Executive Nigel Clibbens echoed Dean's comments and explained the reasons behind his change of role:
"It has been excellent working alongside Sean since I arrived at the Club at the start of the year - he is a committed and key member of the management team here and has made a great contribution as we have changed the focus at the start of the New Era.
"Sean's qualities were identified early on at the time Dean invested, and it is a fully deserved move. He has been performing the role day-to-day already and has certainly stepped up to the challenges laid down since I joined the Club. We have made this change now, but it is one we had in mind for some time. Sean will now be able to influence the wider aspects of the Club as well as commercial activities."
Jarvis told htafc.com he was honoured to join the restructured Board and is relishing his new role.
"I am delighted to have been asked to join the Board of Directors at Huddersfield Town; it is a great honour for me," Sean explained. "I have loved every second of my time at the Club since my arrival in 2006 but following Dean and Nigel's arrival this has risen to a new level and I am looking forward to the future.
"In the short-term, my immediate remit will focus on getting our commercial activity right for next season then implementing our long-term plans ranging from corporate events, hospitality and sponsorship and Retail. We want to stand with the best and I will ensure that we are doing all we can to build new commercial relationships and deepen those already in place. The marketplace is tough but we like a challenge!"
Ann Hough becomes Operations Director
At the same time, as part of the other Board changes recently announced - which saw two other long-standing Directors resign - Ann Hough has also seen her role and responsibilities change, combining her role as Club Secretary with a wider new role as Operations Director.
Ann has been a constant and vital part of Town's management through many previous regimes, as well as through the dark days of Administration in 2003. She is responsible for the Club's football administration and matchday operation but will now be responsible for wider organisational aspects at Town.
Chief Executive Nigel Clibbens said: "The role of Club Secretary is absolutely critical. Regulatory compliance in football is a key issue and a top priority for us; the potential penalties for failure are severe. Ann is respected throughout the League for her expertise and knowledge. With our complex Stadium arrangements to deal with, Ann always ensures our activities are always on track. The change recognises the broader importance of the role Ann performs.
These changes conclude the restructuring of the Town Board following the recent completion of Dean Hoyle's takeover of the Club.
