Supporters Direct appoints new chief executive

Fan ownership organisation, Supporters Direct, has appointed a new chief executive. Robin Osterley, formerly chief executive of Making Music, the National Federation of Music Societies, will be joining the...

Fan ownership organisation, Supporters Direct, has appointed a new chief executive.

Robin Osterley, formerly chief executive of Making Music, the National Federation of Music Societies, will be joining the London-based supporters’ trust body from 6 May.

Supporters Direct helps fans, including football and rugby, to set up democratic co-operative trusts to gain influence in the running and ownership of clubs.

At Making Music, which is the advocacy and support group for grassroots music organisations including some co-operatives, Robin held the post for sixteen years. There he grew its funding base significantly and helped run several high-profile lobbying campaigns in areas such as Gift Aid and music licensing.

Although his working life in the third sector has largely been in music, he has also held a number of other appointments at a senior level, including as a director of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO).

Robin commented: “I am truly delighted to be joining an organisation that has already achieved an enviable reputation in what have often been very challenging circumstances.

“The time I have already spent talking with the staff team has made abundantly clear their vast commitment, enthusiasm and knowledge, qualities upon which I will rely extensively as we go forward together.

“Having been the chief executive of a very similar organisation – albeit in a different sector – I know how important it is to have such dedication in place, and I am really looking forward to getting out across the movement and meeting as many people as I possibly can. I am very excited about getting down to work, and repaying the trust placed in me by the Board of Supporters Direct.”

Brian Burgess, chair of Supporters Direct, added: “We are delighted to welcome Robin, an experienced chief executive with a strong track record of leading a similar national membership organisation.

“For this appointment we have looked beyond the world of football and sport in general to find someone with the skills and experience to drive forward Supporters Direct from the strong platform we already have. The opportunities and the challenges are considerable and the organisation will benefit from having a leader of Robin’s calibre.”

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