Based on comments made to me recently, there appears to be some confusion among some supporters about the roles of the three directors on the board of Brentford Football Club (BFC) that have been nominated by BEES UNITED.
The three individuals, Stephen Callen, John McGlashan and Andrew Wainwright, have two separate and distinct roles as directors of BFC and of BEES UNITED.
As directors of BFC they have fiduciary duties, which is a legal term meaning they have to act in the best interests of BFC. In the case of contractual issues between BFC and any member of its staff for example, they take the appropriate legal and professional advice, and ensure that negotiations achieve the best overall outcome for the Club. The final decision on contractual arrangements is usually taken or confirmed by the BFC board as the legal body responsible for the Club’s affairs. Such contractual arrangements are often the subject of confidentiality provisions, which make it difficult for specific details to be made public without the consent of the other party or parties.
As BFC directors, Stephen, John, and Andrew have to use their judgement in order to make the best decisions. They have been democratically elected by BEES UNITED members and nominated by the BEES UNITED board on the basis of their experience, integrity, and commitment to achieving the best possible future for BFC. I, and the board of BEES UNITED, have complete confidence in all three of them, in their track record, and in their ability to ensure that the right decisions are made.
As BEES UNITED nominees they also use their judgement to decide which issues are sufficiently important or relevant to consult their colleagues on the BEES UNITED board, either formally or informally, especially where individuals have relevant experience or expertise that can help. They can and do take into account the strategy, policies, and intentions of BEES UNITED before making their decisions.
BEES UNITED is not yet a shareholder in BFC and nor does it have a contract to manage the Club. The three nominees on the BFC board consult with their colleagues in BEES UNITED and act with honesty and integrity.
I believe that the overall arrangement is working well and, whilst I acknowledge that communications can be improved, I believe that the membership are generally satisfied, as evidenced by the recent election result when Andrew Wainwright and John McGlashan were resoundingly re-elected to the board of BEES UNITED.
Brian Burgess
11 December 2003