Glentoran Chairman Ian Kerr has notified the Board of his decision to stand down from his position.
Ian has served as Chairman since April 2022. Prior to his appointment Ian had served as a club director for ten years between 2008 and 2018. For most of that period he was Vice Chairman, and also played a major role in eliminating the club’s historic debt.
The club’s new Chairman will be the current Vice Chairman, Colin Jess. Colin has been a member of the GRC Board since April 2022. Previously he had served on the previous Glentoran Board since 2016 until the club takeover, latterly as Vice Chairman. Colin has served on the GFC1882 Board since its inception and has chaired that Board since May 2022. Colin has at various times also been Supporter Liaison Officer and Commercial Director of the club and is currently Chair of the Glentoran Social Partnership.
Glentoran majority shareholder Ali Pour said to www.glentoran.com: “I personally want to thank Ian for his commitment and efforts during his time as Chairman. Ian undoubtedly stabilised the Board during a key period of transition and has galvanised the leadership as we move forward into the future. He leaves his Chairmanship but will remain a valuable counsel to Glentoran FC.
We welcome Colin into his new role as Chairman. He has been a valuable member of the Board and I have got to know him more closely through various campaigns with the Glentoran Social Partnership. I have no doubt that Colin will work tirelessly to drive the Club forward.
The outgoing Chairman addressed the Glentoran Family through this website: “It has been a great honour in my life to have been asked and take on the role of Chairman of our great club. My time has been enjoyable, representing Glentoran in the role has been a great privilege that won’t be forgotten.
Ian Kerr
I accepted the role in April 2022 on the clear understanding that it would be for a relatively short time and effectively would end when the club had stabilised after settling a number of issues, and more importantly, when the Board was able to identify a Chair capable of leading the club forward in the medium term. Both those criteria have now been met.
Therefore, with all the above in place, and with a greater air of positivity and optimism around the club, for me it seems it is the right time that I step down with the new Chairman in place for the start of the new league season.
I wish Colin all the very best in his new role. He will have my complete support as an outstanding candidate.”
Colin Jess
New Chairman Colin said of his new appointment: “I would firstly like to thank Ian for his leadership during his time as Chairman of the club, providing stability during some difficult times. To be asked to take on this position is a huge honour, having been a supporter of our great club for over 50 years. Since joining the Board back in 2016, I have witnessed some very difficult times, but I now believe that the foundations have been laid to take our great club forward. I aim to continue to ensure that our off-field aspirations match those on the pitch and will continue to support our work across the wider East Belfast, establishing Glentoran Football Club at the heart of our community.”
Colin Jess will give a full interview to GlensTV in the next few weeks.
