New General Manager in post

Date: 22 March 2012

 NEW GENERAL MANAGER IN POST

The Management Committee is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Ellis as the new General Manager of the Club. He takes over with immediate effect from Lisa Knowles who wishes to revert to her previous position as Club Accountant on a part-time basis.

New Genaral Manager, Richard Ellis

 

Richard will be no stranger to many members since he has been associated with Hoppers for over a decade as an occasional player and long-term mini/junior coach. Married to Helen with three sons Jack, Joe (a member of Hoppers Under 15s!) and Isaac, Richard lives locally in Fulwood.

Originally from St Helens (yes, he also follows the 13-aside code too!), Richard was educated at Queen Elizabeth School, Kirkby Lonsdale and the University of Liverpool where he studied civil and environmental engineering. On graduating, Richard joined the Babtie Group as a civil engineer where he worked for eight years.

A change of direction followed in 1996 as he took on his own franchise business specializing in sash window renovation and built the turnover up to nearly £1 million per annum and from one employee to eleven. Due to a change of operating focus, the franchisor has decided to buy back the franchises giving Richard the opportunity to seek new challenges. He also has some experience in the licensed trade.

As well as proven commercial acumen, Richard has sports club experience too having served as Club Chairman of the Myerscough College Junior Football Club for five years, leading a team of volunteers who achieved Charter Status for the club. He also enjoys cycling, five a-side football and skiing and has a keen interest in a wide range of sports.

Richard stated: “I am obviously familiar with the Club and am impressed by the way the business has been expanded and built up by the Committee and my predecessors. I am looking forward to the exciting challenge of consolidating this situation while investigating new initiatives to take the Club forward. The club has a great location and facilities, a strong membership across many sports and is a key part of the Preston community”

Chairman George Erdozain added: “I must express the Club’s gratitude to Lisa Knowles for her hard work and commitment over the last few years and we are delighted that she is to remain involved. The quality of applicants for the post was extremely high and, although it was a difficult decision, I believe that, with Richard’s knowledge of the Club and proven business record, we have made the right appointment.”

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