In a bid to maximise the cash-raising potential of its new £500m stadium, Everton FC has appointed the man who generated record revenues for its charitable arm. Tony McDonough reports
Everton Football Club is looking to maximise the revenue potential of its new £500m stadium with a new senior appointment.
Since taking over as chief executive of the club’s charity, Everton in the Community (EITC), in 2018 Richard Kenyon has put in place a strategic plan that has seen it double in size and bring in record revenues.
Now Everton are looking to Mr Kenyon perform a similar feat to capitalise on the 52,888-capacity arena. He has been appointed as the club’s director of communications, revenue and international growth with a specific brief of maximising stadium revenues.
Richard Cronin, former principal of Everton Free School and Football College, will take over at EITC as executive director. He will use the platform provided by Mr Kenyon to drive forward a £100m legacy project in and around the club’s current stadium at Goodison Park in Walton.
Everton FC and its main contractor Laing O’Rourke broke ground at Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool Waters in August. It is hoped Everton will leave its current home at Goodison Park in Walton and kick off the 2024/25 Premier League season at the stadium.
The entire build is scheduled to take around 150 weeks in 12 separate phases. The initial enabling works are expected to take 32 weeks and are being funded by majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.
Everton has also secured a funding package from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. This includes a grant of up to £15m to assist with infrastructure work to public space and heritage sites on and around Bramley-Moore Dock. It will also see a loan of up to £30m towards the construction costs.
Mr Kenyon said: “I look back over my three years as chief executive with great pride at what we have collectively been able to achieve together.
“Everton in the Community stepped up to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and supported tens of thousands of people when they needed it most and is emerging from the pandemic stronger than it’s ever been.”
Mr Cronin brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role at the charity as an experienced teacher and leader with more than 30 years in the profession. During his tenure at the Everton Free School, he oversaw significant growth and expansion, including successful collaborations with EITC.
“The opportunity to join Everton in the Community at such a progressive time in its history is incredibly exciting and I look forward to working closely with its fantastic team of directors and dedicated and committed staff to continue to drive the charity forwards,” said Mr Cronin.
Mr Kenyon added: “I look back over my three years as CEO with great pride at what we have collectively been able to achieve together. Everton in the Community stepped up to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and supported tens of thousands of people when they needed it most and is emerging from the pandemic stronger than it’s ever been.”
Dan Meis, the concept architect for the new stadium will continue his association with Everton’s new stadium project as he takes up a new guardianship role. His initial role in the stadium project came to a natural end in the summer of 2020 as the scheme moved from the concept to technical phases.
Working under Everton’s stadium development director Colin Chong, and alongside the project leads from construction partner Laing O’Rourke and architects BDP Pattern, his role will involve reviewing the technical construction specifications and engaging the compliance team ahead of each stage of development.
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright said: “Dan has been an important part of our stadium journey so far and we are pleased he has accepted this new role. In working alongside both our in-house and external teams, Dan will be joining some of the best technical talents in the country.”