As momentum starts to build up on the project to develop a new community stadium for Brentford Football Club at a site in Lionel Road, Brentford, the Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Power, former Chief Operating Officer for the London 2012 bid team, as a non-executive director on the board of Brentford FC (Lionel Road) Ltd.
For the past 5 years until January 2008, Mike Power has been Chief Operating Officer (COO) for London’s successful bid for the 2012 Olympics and COO for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).
Mike’s background is as a chartered management accountant with the Procter and Gamble Company, for whom he worked for more than thirty two years. Following a career in Finance he was asked to set up the Global Business Services (GBS) Operation for Procter and Gamble (P&G), which is now amongst the acknowledged leaders in Shared Service Operations. Mike’s success in creating it led him to being appointed to President level in P&G.
His appointment to the board of the Lionel Road company follows the resignation of Ian Jones on 1 May.
Brentford FC Chairman, Greg Dyke, who is also chairman of the Lionel Road stadium subsidiary, said he was delighted with the appointment. “To attract someone of Mike’s stature and experience to help us with the project is a real coup for the Club. As work intensifies on the design and the commercial negotiations to come up with a viable scheme, it is essential that we have a strong team on the Lionel Road board. In particular we need to ensure we have a robust operating plan that can underpin the long term sustainability of the club and we believe Mike’s skills and experience can help us achieve this. Mike’s background in business operations and his role in developing the successful 2012 Olympic bid and setting up the London Organising Committee for the Olympics Games (LOCOG) will be invaluable. He is already getting involved on a voluntary basis for one or two days per week to help put the plans together.
“I am sorry to see Ian leave the Lionel Road board and on behalf of everyone involved I would like to express our thanks to Ian for his valuable assistance in helping us to progress the project this far. Ian is continuing on the board of the football club.”
Mike Power said “I am delighted to be able to help out on what will be a very challenging project to deliver. Having been born in Isleworth and supported Brentford since my schooldays it is exciting to be involved in a project which could transform the future prospects for the club.”
Lionel Road Project Progress Update
Brentford FC’s stadium project team and Barratt Homes Limited (Barratt) are progressing with the negotiation of detailed development agreements, appointment of professional advisors and preparation of feasibility studies.
AFL Architects have been selected as stadium architects, working closely with Assael Architects who are the master planners for the whole scheme. AFL have previously designed developments at Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge, the new JJB stadium for Wigan, Preston North End and Ipswich to name but a few. Rugby Union also features in their portfolio with stadia development for Munster Rugby Club in Ireland and Leicester Tigers.
Structural engineers, Sinclair Knight Merz and mechanical & electrical services engineers, Hoare Lea have also been chosen in recent weeks to join the project team.
The joint Barratt/Brentford FC team has also initiated monthly stakeholder liaison meetings with local residents groups, councillors and other major stakeholders in the Brentford and Chiswick area.