Dempster out the door after six of the best at Easter Road
Hibs CEO set for her ‘ next chapter’ upon capital exit
LEEANN DEMPSTER has left Hibernian after more than six years as chief executive, insisting the time was right – for her and the club – to “move on to a new chapter”.
The former Motherwell CEO joined the Easter Road outfit at one of the lowest points in its recent history, taking the helm in the summer of 2014 following the calamitous relegation to the Championship.
However, she has departed having helped breathe new life into the capital club, having overseen the historic 2016 Scottish Cup triumph and the Championship title success of the following year, as well as the transition to the current ownership of US- based businessman Ron Gordon.
Her exit comes as something of a surprise, with chairman Gordon – who completed his buy- out of Sir Tom Farmer and Rod Petrie in July last year – adamant he wanted Dempster to remain in place to continue the day- to- day running of the club.
It is understood to have been “100 per cent” Dempster’s decision to move on, with club insiders rejecting any notions of any disagreement with Gordon or of a new job having been lined up.
“The club had been relegated when I joined, and I was determined – with the help of a terrific group of people – to rebuild and restore the club to make its supporters proud on and off the pitch,” she said. “The cup win was the highlight, of course, but there have been many fantastic moments.
“I thi think k it i is genuinely i l th the right time, both for the club and for me, to move on to a new chapter. It has been an intense and fulfilling time of my life. I have grown to love the club and the Hibernian family, but the club is in good hands and has an exciting future ahead of it.
“I wanted to make sure Ron settled in following the transaction, and I think we have achieved that. I’ve enjoyed working with him and I have learned a lot in the process.
“Supporters should be optimistic and excited about Ron’s plans for the club’s future, and I know they will continue to support the club in
the magnificent fashion that they have done during my time, especially during recent months when they absolutely stepped up when we most needed them.
“I thank every one of them for making this job such an enjoyable one. Now I look forward to the excitement of taking on a new challenge.”
The departure of Dempster, who was linked with the CEO post at the Scottish FA in 2018, leaves a gaping hole at the top of Hibs’ executive structure at a time of uncertainty given the fi financial strains of the coronavirus pandemic. But she has vowed to assist in a “smooth transition” as Gordon mulls over how best to replace a well- respected figure in Scottish football.
“I would have liked Leeann to stay,” Gordon commented. “She has done a terrific job throughout her time at the club and I know how highly regarded she is by every supporter and within football.
“She has explained that she believes it is the right time for her and for the club – that she is ready to pursue a new and different challenge, and that she wants to spend more time with her family.
“She has obviously thought long and hard about this and we now have to accept and respect her view. I am happy to say she will work with us to ensure a smooth transition as we decide how to best move forward and [ I] thank her for her continued commitment to the club.
“She has definitely left her mark at Hibernian, and everyone at Hibs should be very grateful to her. I know I am, and all of us wish her every success.
“I know this development will be a surprise to supporters. I can assure them that Leeann has promised to stay in touch and has promised me she will always be available to help me, as she has from my first day at Hibs, with valued advice, guidance and support.”