Celtic announced the retirement of long-standing director Tom Allison on Wednesday.
Allison, who had been involved at the club for almost a quarter of a century, spent over 20 years as their senior independent director.
In a season of intense scrutiny for Celtic’s board, he isn’t the first to depart, with Peter Lawwell also stepping down earlier in the campaign.
After the news of the end of his involvement at Celtic Park, 67 Hail Hail examined the career of Allison and what his departure means for Celtic.
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Tom Allison, Celtic’s long-standing senior independent director
Allison first joined the Celtic board in 2001, just two years after Dermot Desmond emerged at the club’s principal shareholder.
Desmond had increased his stake to nearly 20% in 1999, making him the club’s largest single shareholder after Fergus McCann fulfilled his promise to leave after five years.
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As a businessman, Allison was behind the creation of Peel Sports in 2003, and has chaired Wood Mackenzie energy, Keepmoat Homes and Tulloch Homes Group.
He could often be seen sat next to senior board members in the Main Stand at Celtic Park, where attention usually goes to the likes of Michael Nicholson.
In the 2020 New Year Honours, he was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to Scottish business and charity.
As a long-standing director, his name appeared annually in the club’s financial reports and as a subject of ordinary resolutions for re-appointment during every AGM cycle.
Speaking about Allison’s departure, Desmond told the Celtic Website: “Tom has made an enormous personal contribution to Celtic.
“He has been a key advisor to me at all stages and brought his wisdom to the many challenges which arose over the years. Tom is a person of vision, and he has brought that vision to all his endeavours.
“The wisdom and experience that Tom brought to the Board is unmatched and irreplaceable. I am indebted to him for his wholehearted commitment to our Club.”
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Celtic Fans Collective on Tom Allison
Ahead of the club’s most recent AGM, the Celtic Fans Collective said on Allison: “Tom Allison joined the Celtic board in September 2001.
“Tom Boyd was club captain and the team was preparing for Celtic’s first ever Champions League group stage match.
“Like Brian Wilson, Tom’s tenure is now more than double the nine-year maximum widely recommended for Non-Executive Directors under basic corporate governance standards.
“As a result, his ability to hold the CEO and CFO to account has been compromised. Celtic needs fresh ideas, expertise and leaders who understand the demands of a modern football club.
“Tom – your time at Celtic has expired.”
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