Board Profile – David Ashurst

Current board term AGM 2022 – AGM 2024

Candidate statement AGM 2022:

"It’s fair to say that the last two years have been a challenge for the Board, managing the club through the pandemic and now the cost-of-living crisis. I considered if I should continue to stand, given I have worked closely with the club for almost 5 years post Damian’s resignation and two years on the Board. I recognise there is still so much to do, I feel now is not the time to walk away from the current Board and have decided to stand again.

The business plan that was voted through by the owners, I still believe is overall the right plan although it’s clear that the cost-of-living crisis is impacting on it and may continue to do so for the next 12 months or so. The relationship with MCC has improved significantly and this will hopefully enable a number of the current restrictions on the club to be lifted.

I have been a member of the commercial committee and have recently supported the recruitment of the commercial manager and the events and hospitality manager. It is vital to the long-term growth of the club that these two areas are successful, if we are to achieve the outcomes the owners supported in the business plan after underperforming in previous years. The early signs are promising and we are starting to build relationships with organisations who are new to FC, as well as continuing to grow our relationship with key partners such as Holts, Chauntry and HSG.

I recently successfully stood for the Board of the Northern Premier League and was elected as a Board member, enabling FC’s views to be represented.

I have been a member and season ticket holder since the formation of FC United. In the early years of FC, in addition to the usual matchday support, I arranged sponsorship of match balls, either personally or through the forums.

In my career, I have gained experience in IT, programme management, account management and business development, gained through working with and for a number of blue-chip companies. I also ran my own consultancy business for over 10 years.

I am therefore standing again, knowing full well what is involved, and I believe I can continue to make a contribution to the running of the club."

If you would like to contact David, please email david.ashurst@fc-utd.uk