Page 12 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.34 2021-22

New appointments to SWF Board

Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) has made a number of key appointments to strengthen
its Board to support the further growth of the women’s and girls’ game in Scotland.
Former professional footballer, scout and coach Derek Allan joins the Board as
Strong Quality Growth Director, focussed on the further development of the youth game.
Derek is Head of Recruitment and Talent Acquisition at engineering consultancy Booth
Welsh.
Ainslie Pettie has been appointed Policy Director. Ainslie is currently Deputy
Nominated Officer at NatWest and is passionate about both football and ensuring equal
opportunities for girls and women.
David Stephen becomes the organisation’s new Finance Director, taking over from
Gavin Michie who has decided to retire after over a decade in the role. A qualified
accountant, David brings valuable finance, IT and planning experience from a range of
roles including his current position as Finance Director of Macsween of Edinburgh.
Commenting on the appointments, Vivienne MacLaren, Chair of Scottish Women’s
Football said: “We have been delighted with the calibre of applicants for the Board roles
and the passion and commitment they demonstrated for the further development of the
womens’ and girl’s game.
“I’d like to welcome our new Board members and look forward to working with
them over the next few years.
“I’d also like to thank our outgoing Finance Director, Gavin Michie. His absolute
focus on growing all that we do has been unwavering. His knowledge and enthusiasm will
be sorely missed. We thank him for over 10 years of support and wish him well in his
continued role as Chair of Boroughmuir Thistle FC.”
Scottish Women’s Football have also welcomed Tom Freeman as the body’s new
Communications and Media manager.
The role will be crucial in further growing and raising the profile of the women’s
game in Scotland, as well as fulfilling key aims of the SWF to increase coverage and
support the growth of clubs across Scotland.
Tom brings a wealth of strategic comms experience as a former journalist and head
of media for the Scottish Green Party, and takes post during an important period of
restructuring of the women’s leagues in Scotland.
Welcoming Tom to the team at SWF, CEO Aileen Campbell said: “I’m excited to
have recruited Tom at a time when the women’s game in Scotland is undergoing
unprecedented growth and change. I know he is a passionate fan of women’s football and
has a real appetite to support our player pathways and grassroots game to grow.”
Commenting on his new post, Tom Freeman said: “More people than ever are
watching and playing women’s football, and while we’ve just seen Glasgow City’s 14-year
dominance of the premier league title broken by Rangers, we’re also seeing history being
made by girls in playing fields across the country. I’m really excited to do what I can to
help grow the game, ensuring that it remains inclusive and distinctive.”
(scotwomensfootball.com)
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