Review of Non-Executive Directors Request plus Questions for Celtic AGM | OneFootball

ARTICLE SIX OF EIGHT FROM NIALL J ON WHAT THE MINUTES FROM THE MONDAY NIGHT MEETING TELLS US AS CELTIC SUPPORTERS…

Celtic v BSC Young Boys, view of Paradise from the sky. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

During the recent meeting between club officials and supporter groups, fan representative Paul Quigley requested a review of Non-Executive Directors…

Paul suggested that an external review of Non-Executive Directors on the Board is required. Michael Nicholson said he will take that suggestion to the Board. This proposal is timely, given growing scrutiny over governance, tenure, and accountability at Celtic plc.

The numbers speak for themselves. Under AIM’s softer governance regime, Celtic plc faces no binding obligation to refresh its board after nine years. But independence and oversight are critical. Here is the tenure of Celtic’s current board members:

Celtic v RB Leipzig – UEFA Champions League – League Stage – Celtic Park Dermot Desmond in the stands ahead of the UEFA Champions League match at Celtic Park, on Tuesday November 5, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

Celtic Chairman Peter Lawwell is seen during the Premiership match between Celtic FC and Ross County FC at Celtic Park on November 30, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The risks highlighted by corporate governance experts, entrenched power, ossified culture, diminished independence, are evident here.  Directors with decades of service inevitably form close ties to management and the controlling shareholder.  Challenging old strategies becomes awkward when you helped design them. Boardroom debate dries up, innovation stalls, and the critical lens supporters might hope for becomes dulled.

Celtic will argue continuity breeds stability. And to an extent, they have a point. The club has dominated Scottish football, remained profitable, reached the Champions League in six of the last ten seasons, and benefited from profitable player sales. But stability in the boardroom is NOT the same as accountability, and success on the pitch does not immunise against governance risk.

Celtic v BSC Young Boys, view of Paradise from the sky. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

A prominent supporter contacted The Celtic Star recently to remind fellow shareholders of a facility created in 2022 to allow questions to be submitted directly to Celtic’s Company Secretary in advance of the AGM. These questions must be answered either at the meeting itself or in advance.

The supporter explained:

“Did you know this facility to ask questions at any time before an AGM existed? It is a genuine attempt to improve the quality of questions posed or issues addressed before an AGM. I know because I helped develop it in 2022 with the Company Secretary who wanted improved communications to address common issues.”

He is urging shareholders NOT to wait until the week before the AGM, when other resolutions may dominate the agenda. Shareholders can use or adapt the following template to submit questions directly to investorrelations@celticfc.co.uk (include full name and SRN from your share certificate).  Copy in the Celtic Supporters Trust at trust@celtictrust.net if you want to amplify collective shareholder influence.

Subject: Questions for the 2025 AGM – Celtic plc

Dear Company Secretary,

As a shareholder, I respectfully submit the following questions in advance of the 2025 Annual General Meeting of Celtic plc.

Celtic was founded with a clear ethos and purpose rooted in community, charity, and identity. To ensure alignment between this founding purpose, the responsibilities of the Board, and the expectations of shareholders and supporters, I would be grateful if you could address the following:

Purpose – What does the Board consider to be the fundamental Purpose of Celtic Football Club? Vision – What is the Vision of the Board for Celtic’s future? Strategy – What Strategy has the Board adopted to achieve this Purpose and Vision? Policies – What Policies are in place to support and deliver the Strategy? Indicators – What Indicators or measures does the Board use to assess whether the Purpose, Vision, Strategy, and Policies are being achieved in practice?

I respectfully ask that the Board’s responses provide clarity, substance, and measurable indicators so that shareholders can understand how governance decisions align with the ethos and long-term direction of Celtic Football Club.

Yours faithfully,

[Full Name] [Share Reference Number] [Certificate Number]

Dermot Desmond next to Michael Nicholson in Munich’s Allianz Arena image via Celtic Curio

It is vital that shareholders press the board directly on what the club’s real purpose and direction is. The 2025 AGM is likely to take place in November or December. Now is the time to raise fundamental issues. The more shareholders use this facility, the louder the collective voice becomes.

Questions about Purpose, Vision, Strategy, and Accountability go to the very heart of the club. If the board is unwilling to provide clarity, shareholders and supporters are entitled to ask, who exactly are they serving?

Supporters and shareholders are encouraged to use this facility. The upcoming 2025 AGM, provides a concrete platform to demand transparency and challenge the entrenched board.

Celtic Fans Collective, Founded September 2025.

Combined with calls for an external review of NEDs, coordinated shareholder engagement could be the most effective tool the Celtic Fans Collective has to ensure accountability and inject fresh thinking into a board that has become long-tenured, close-knit, and potentially too comfortable with the status quo.

Ultimately, the core question remains, do Celtic’s directors retain the independence, courage, and willingness to challenge when it matters? Shareholders and supporters now have the tools, and the timing, to find out.

Niall J

Get your copy of ‘Celtic in the Eighties’ which has been personally signed by Celtic legend Danny McGrain…

Celtic legend Danny McGrain is seen during the League Cup Final between Aberdeen and Celtic at Hampden Park on November 27, 2016. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Don’t miss the chance to purchase the late, great Celtic historian David Potter’s final Celtic book, Celtic in the Eighties. All remaining copies have been signed by the legendary Celtic captain  Danny McGrain , who also wrote the foreword for Celtic in the Eighties. And you’ll also receive a FREE copy of David Potter’s Willie Fernie biography – Putting on the Style, plus you’ll only be charged for postage on one book.  Order from Celtic Star Books HERE.

Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain has signed the remaining batch of David Potter’s outstanding final book Celtic in the Eighties so hurry to get your signed copy!

Ordering is simple, just place your order for Celtic in the Eighties at celticstarbooks.com/shop and we’ll do the rest, ensuring your copy is signed by Danny PLUS you’ll also receive a complimentary Willie Fernie book dispatched by the next working day, whilst stocks last.

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

Please note that stocks are now running very low indeed and the book will NOT be reprinted. Click on the image below to order. Also postage will only be charged on ONE book, not per item so if you are in Britain or the six counties you will pay £24.50 for both books – one side by Danny McGrain and that includes the postage costs for speedy delivery. As always the books are hardback and are of the highest quality.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO ORDER…

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Click on image above to order.

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