James Bisgrove is to become the new chief executive of Rangers as managing director Stewart Robertson follows Douglas Park and Ross Wilson down the marble staircase.
The Ibrox side are preparing for a huge summer of change after stagnation in the face of 55 cost the club their brief Scottish football dominance with Old Firm rivals Celtic now firmly back in the driving seat.
It’s lead to numerous fan protests as off the field distractions were amplified by on pitch failings as Rangers’ famous title victory in May 2021 has been proceeded by years of domestic failings.
The Europa League Final run is of course a landmark moment in the club’s history but Rangers fell short at the final hurdle and in the process surrendered their Premiership crown.
Now, with fans protesting the work done by Ross Wilson and Stewart Robertson in particular, three of the club’s main men are set to depart with change on and off the park at the club.
Boardroom shake-up at Ibrox
Club chairman Douglas Park makes way for John Bennett, Ross Wilson is off to Nottingham Forest and now Stewart Robertson is set to end his eight-year reign at the end of the season.
Love him or hate him, Robertson has overseen a return to Ibrox profitability, much-needed improvement of the stadium and the training centre and – most importantly – that 55th title victory.
Whilst the last few years haven’t gone to plan, Stewart Robertson has done much more good for Rangers than harm and at the very least, now we can expect to see those tacky Celtic-esque no smoking signs over the faces of Robertson and Wilson finally condemned to the digital trash can.
It was about time to move on for all three and as Rangers look ahead to a monumental summer that wind of change is bringing James Bisgrove into the chief executive hot seat.
James Bisgrove appointed Rangers chief executive
Having impressed massively in the club’s commercial department, the challenge now for the Englishman is to heal the wounds of the last few seasons and it starts by mending a fractured relationship with the fans.
Even before the announcement was made this week, Club 1872 had released a joint statement with the Union Bears and the Rangers Supporters’ Association appealing for more co-operation from the top of the club.
James Bisgrove represents an interesting appointment for the club, with the current commercial director working in the sports partnerships of RBS and with Befair before joining the commercial side of UEFA, spending three years in Nyon as a sponsorship manager with European football’s governing body.
Bisgrove then spent another three with TEAM, who are focused on maximising the success of partnerships across the Champions and Europa League.
Having been appointed as a Head of Marketing and Commercial at Rangers in 2019, James Bisgrove has risen up the ladder at the club and this is a substantial opportunity for both the club and the new CEO.
Speaking as Rangers broke the news, James Bisgrove is relishing the chance to become Rangers chief executive and has pledged to energise the club’s “engagement” with disillusioned fans.
“I would like to thank and congratulate Stewart for all he has achieved at Rangers, his daily support and wisdom have been invaluable,” said James Bisgrove.
“Rangers Football Club is a globally renowned institution steeped in success and the scale of privilege and responsibility I feel to serve its supporters as CEO is immense.
“In the past four years, I’ve witnessed first-hand what this great club means to our supporters worldwide and, together with our Chairman, John Bennett, and the Board, we will work tirelessly to achieve the success Rangers supporters deserve.
“My immediate priority is to ensure Michael Beale and his staff continue to have the resources and environment they require to put a winning team on the pitch and to deliver regular trophies for our supporters.
“This will be underpinned by overseeing the continuation of our positive financial performance and sustained profitability off the pitch.
“I’m personally looking forward to energising our engagement with all Rangers supporters and overseeing a strengthened and aligned culture.”
