Premier League football club Nottingham Forest appoint Tom Cartledge, chief executive of Handley House Group which includes Newark-based company Benoy as their new chairman
A new chairman has been appointed at Nottingham Forest who will be a familiar name to many people across the area.
Tom Cartledge is the chief executive of Handley House Group which includes Newark-based company Benoy.
Nottingham Forest announced that he will take over as chairman of the football club as of today (Tuesday August 29).
"Nicholas Randall KC will step down from his role as chairman with immediate effect and will be appointed as a non-executive director on the Club’s Board," said a club spokesman.
"Following six years in the role, Nicholas has handed over the chairmanship to Tom Cartledge, chief executive of Handley House Group.
"In acknowledgment of his achievements, Nicholas has been invited by owner Evangelos Marinakis to remain on the board of directors in a non-executive capacity.
"Incoming chairman Tom Cartledge, who is a life-long supporter of Nottingham Forest and lives in the area with his family, brings with him a wealth of experience in real estate, retail, economic investment and business leadership.
"As the club continues its ambitious plans for growth off the pitch, Tom’s business expertise make him the perfect successor to the role.
"Since the acquisition in 2017, Tom has had close involvement in an advisory capacity to the club’s ownership on infrastructure and expansion projects, including those for the proposed redevelopment of The City Ground.
"As a passionate Nottingham Forest fan, his vision for the club's future align seamlessly with the values and ambitions held by the owner.
“I am delighted that Tom has accepted the offer to become Chairman of the Club," said outgoing chairman Nicholas Randall KC.
"I have no doubt that he will bring the enthusiasm, energy and commitment to the role which is now necessary to take the Club forward in this next period of its history.
"Not only does he have an outstanding professional and business background but he has been a Forest fan all of his life.
"He is an outstanding candidate."
"I am truly honoured to take on the role of Chairman at Nottingham Forest," said Tom Cartledge.
"This club has a rich history and a passionate fan base, as I know first-hand, having been a proud season ticket holder for 40 years.
"Over the course of my life, I have moved home, moved jobs, moved schools, and moved stands, but I would never move clubs.
"Forest and family are my two constants.
“I am incredibly proud that my wife and my boys are all Forest fans as well.
"This is our second home and there isn’t a day in our house when Forest isn’t mentioned.
“The first time I met the owner, he asked why the city had got used to accepting average instead of excellence.
"His plan was to change that through hard work and passion, and no one can question the achievements to date.
"But now it’s time to kick on to the next level on and off the pitch.
“The owner’s passion for the Club is infectious, we both believe that there is so much more to do — with our role in the city, with our fans, with the infrastructure of the Club and, of course, with our performances and ambitions on the pitch.
"We share a vision for this great Club of ours both domestically and internationally.
"I can’t wait to get started.”
Tom said that he was grafeful for the work of his predecessor.
“I first met the Chairman and then CEO over dinner in Nottingham, just a few months after the takeover," said Tom.
"In those six years we have developed a close friendship and he was the very first person to congratulate me on the appointment.
"The Chairman should be proud of what the club has achieved under his guidance and I will forever be thankful for his support.”
The club said that Tom will continue as CEO of his family group of businesses trading across the world which, in turn, will help create more opportunities globally to promote Forest.
