We picked out five key talking points from our Executive Director’s latest interview with Hibs TV!
Ian Gordon covered various topics during an in-depth interview, admitting some key learnings, commitment to the Club, signs of progress and what Hibs fans can expect in the future.
Here are five key quotes from the interview!
Ian Gordon’s Role With The Club
"In previous years, I was very much there to help with the recruitment process and how we identified players to present to the Manager who ultimately, signed off on all the signings. Ultimately, on reflection, that was a mistake, and lessons have been learned from that.
“I'm currently Executive Director. I represent the family over here; I live here full time with my wife. Ultimately, I’m there to support Ben and Malky, with Ben overseeing the business side and Malky overseeing the football side. I am there to support them and help in any way I can.
"Over these last 18 months, for me it's been about getting my eyes on as many of the different parts of the Club as possible, and seeing where we can constantly improve, alongside working on the next five-year plan.”
Black Knight Relationship & Investment
“The Black Knight group was thoroughly involved in the hiring process of the Sporting Director and the Head Coach - they were part of that process the whole way through. When it came down to it, as a family and a board, we felt that Malky and Dave's knowledge of the Scottish game was the most important factor – and that's why we felt that it was the best thing for the club.
“There is constant communication between us and the Black Knight Group, we feel we are in a good place with them. They’ve appointed a new president, Tim Bezbatchenko, who we hosted recently and Malky is having constant dialogue with him. So yes, we're in the early stages of that partnership, but we still fully believe in the direction it's heading.
“The Black Knight money was ringfenced into very specific sections. Some of that was into the wage bill, some of that was used for the commercial growth, the improvements to the Famous Five Stand this summer, the Rail Seating, HTC improvements going forward, and growth in the Academy and the Women's team.
“So yes, that money has also gone towards the wage bill. We have stretched the wage bill again for year-on-year growth, and we've made a substantial financial commitment to Kieron Bowie as well.
“We are also prepared to make additional significant investment for the right type of player. Ultimately, that didn't work out for us this summer, but it's something that we're prepared to do going forward.”
Club Finances & Family Commitment
“At the moment, there is a current overspend. With all the changes that we've had, with that comes big financial commitments, which is something that my family is committed to at this time.
“We feel the Club’s business side is in such a stable, strong position that when we do get that footballing success, we'll be in a great place moving forward.
“So just for clarity on that, the family are just going to essentially write off any money that's an overspend on the football side. That is something that, as a family, we're comfortable with at this time.”
Commercial Growth & Infrastructure Improvements
“From when my family bought the Club, you can see the growth year-on-year. Our commercial growth is up over 80%, and we have over 400% growth in the commercial partnerships.
“We've made massive improvements on the hospitality front, and we do believe that that we can keep growing that side of the business. We have revamped the West Stand and now got ‘Behind The Goals’ but up and running with Rail Seating in the Famous Five Stand. Those are projects that me and my family were very proud to complete because it was something my dad felt very strongly about.
“There's no hiding from the fact that on the footballing side, it hasn't been good enough. As an ownership group, our investment has been very focused on the stadium and commercial growth. So going forward there needs to be a real focus on, on the footballing side.”
Looking Ahead…
“We are coming to the end of my dad's original five-year plan. So come the next AGM, me and my family will present the new five-year plan and showcase the direction we want to continue to move.
“We need to be finishing top four. We need to be competing for cups, and we need to be playing European football on a consistent basis. It's something this the club hasn't achieved, and we feel that it needs to be a big goal for us.
“It hasn't been, the easiest rides over the last few years. But there have been a lot of lessons have been learned, and we're very confident in the direction we're heading. With the current structure, we feel we're in a great place.”
