As the new season is about to begin, Tranmere Rovers would like to thank the two Associate Directors who are stepping down from their roles for their contributions, and to welcome two new appointees.
Tim McDonnell, a vastly experienced businessman and long-time fan, has been an Associate Director for more than five years and has provided great support to the Club, in particular in his fields of expertise in retail and human resources. His knowledge in these areas has been invaluable in helping us to move the business forward and develop important internal processes and controls.
Mark Randles has served as the Supporters’ Trust representative for three years and steps down as Associate Director at the end of his fixed term, as required by the Trust’s constitution. Mark has been hugely active within the Supporters’ Trust for many years and, together with his wife, Cathy, he was instrumental in getting the successful fan zone up and running.
Another long-term fan, he has an excellent understanding of the supporters’ perspective on Club matters, and his contribution to board debates has been extremely valuable. The Club has also benefited from his very hands-on practical assistance with some of the less glamourous, but very important, areas of improvement for the Club, such as the plumbing and ventilation systems.
Jess Grundy will be joining as the Supporters’ Trust nominated Associate Director in place of Mark Randles. Jess has already been very busy supporting the Club, particularly through the food parcel deliveries throughout lockdown and we look forward to working with her in her new role where she will continue to provide that important fans’ perspective.
Liam Hanlon, a Director at the Forshaw Group, is the second Associate Director to be joining. Liam has worked with us on a number of projects involving construction and is currently assisting with the plans for the refurbishment of the Recreation Centre amongst other things. His expertise will be invaluable as we enter a period with a number of building projects.
Chairman Mark Palios said: “The Associate Directors each bring different areas of expertise to the Club and contribute significant amounts of time on a voluntary basis to helping us move forward together.
“Nicola and I will be sad to see Tim and Mark moving on as they have been very valued members of the senior team but thank them for everything they have done during their tenure. We look forward to seeing them at games in the future.”
Below is a bio from all the current Associate Directors ahead of the 2021/22 season…
Ben Harrison
The Chairman of the Trust since 2008, Ben Harrison attended his first Rovers game in 1970. He has worked in the voluntary sector for 25 years, co-founding Weston Spirit and working as Chief Executive for 18 years.
Ben currently owns and runs his own business, Home & Homebrew Tap with outlets in Oxton, New Brighton & West Kirby. He has been involved in the Trust since 2005, initially as a Board Member. Ben has been an Associate Director since 2015 and has assisted with season ticket promotions plus a number of community projects around the Club and supporting with the development of the Fan Zone.
Liam Hanlon
Liam Hanlon is the joint Managing Director the Forshaw Group Ltd. TFG provide a full building and restoration service to all major insurance companies and Loss Adjusters across all insurable perils in the North West of England and North Wales.
He has experience in all aspects of structural repairs and building restoration and reinstatement.
Liam is proud to join the board as an Associate Director to provide advice and support on all aspects of building repairs and Development Projects across all Tranmere Rovers sites and facilities.
He is also passionate about Tranmere in the Community, charity and personal development and serves on a number of wide ranging voluntary boards, trusts and associations.
Martyn Best
Martyn Best has been an Associate Director and a Trustee of Tranmere Rovers in the Community since 2016. Over these years he has played a role in helping develop our international links in China and Indonesia, and has helped support a number of other initiatives, including the recent completion of the first ever stadium lift.
He is the founder and CEO of Document Direct, our new Social Media Partner. His current focus with the Club is helping drive the creation of the Fan Park, establishing our new Lottery, and this season he is also keeping an eye on everyone’s performances in the Tranmere Fantasy league.
Mark Bartley
Mark Bartley is the Chairman of the Tranmere Rovers Official Supporters Club. Previously with the Trust, Mark was asked to set up the TROSC by Mark and Nicola back in 2015.
Since then, the TROSC has grown from a small fan club to a much larger entity that is heavily involved in supporter engagement. The supporters club (pre-covid) had a turnover in excess of £100k and has helped with ground improvements such as kop and ground banners, JKS renovations, Aldos bar etc whilst taking fans on away coaches helping improve to the atmosphere.
Recently the TROSC has been able to direct its funds into club and trust schemes during the pandemic and has committed £20,000 towards the new fan park.
Mark has been a Tranmere Rovers fan since 1985 and outside of football runs his own pharmacy company with over 30 branches across England and Wales.
Lee McAteer
Lee McAteer specialises in media, marketing, communications and international. Lee has been a fan of Rovers since he was knee high to a grasshopper and first went with his Dad, Craig, back in 1993. They had season tickets for many years together.
Lee co-founded and then sold Invasion Camp Group, creating brands such as AmeriCamp, Wrestling Travel, Camp Thailand, Padoq, Camp.co.uk and Invasion.com amongst others. He sits on the advisory board for Leeds University Law School with Sir Keir Starmer, Jack Straw, Lord Low and Dame Owers.
Lee consults on entrepreneurship, marketing, branding and social media for some of the biggest brands in the world and was named 'Britain's Best Boss' back in 2017, winning plaudits from all around the globe.
Mark Richardson
Mark Richardson became an Associate Director in 2019. Mark lived in Bromborough until he was 12 years old when his father’s job with Unilever dictated the family move south.
He joined the SouthernSWA after an eventful night in the pub with 50+ London-based fans watching Chester 2-3 Tranmere Rovers.
Mark has since become part of the 4-person management team running the SSWA: helping to raise significant funds for several key Club initiatives while promoting the TRFC name / brand in the south east. Mark is CEO of VTB Capital plc, the London based investment banking arm of Russia’s 2nd largest financial services group.
Alan Thompson
Alan founded Hi-impact in 2005 and along with his management team, he has implemented many exciting and ground-breaking new developments over the past 17 years. Alan previously had a ten-year career in primary education, and spent time teaching secondary school children in Canada.
From its inception, hi-impact has experienced rapid growth with over 50 per cent of Wirral schools now using its services. Pupils from more than 150 schools throughout the UK and abroad – primary, secondary and in the independent sector – are today being introduced to its ground-breaking delivery of technology and models of the hi-impact operation and consultancy services are being exported outside the UK.
Alan, a Tranmere Rovers fan, supports the Club from a technology and education point of view, and plays a key role in developing key digital initiatives.
Jess Grundy
Jess’ profession is a school teacher and she has been a season ticket holder at Tranmere Rovers for sixteen years and joined the Tranmere Trust board five years ago. During her time on the Trust board, Jess has supported different Club and community projects, including the packing and delivering of food parcels and Christmas hampers during the pandemic, as well as the ground improvements at Prenton Park.
Jess has also helped with the Club’s season ticket campaign for the last four seasons and will continue to support community initiatives during her time as an Associate Director.