SHOCK AS DEMPSTER DEPARTS HIBS
HIBERNIAN last night confirmed the shock departure of club chief executive Leeann Dempster. Sportsmail understands she has quit her high-profile Easter Road role after six years amidst concerns she was becoming pushed to the fringes. Covid-19 has seen majority shareholder Ron Gordon stamp his authority on the club’s commercial functions. And, with key ally Laura Montgomery leaving her post as head of sales and sponsorship to return to Glasgow City, Dempster has also made the decision to go, although it is understood she is not leaving for another post.
In a club statement, American businessman Gordon expressed regret over Dempster’s departure — but supported her decision to quit. ‘I would have liked Leeann to stay,’ it read. ‘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 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. I am forever grateful — she will most certainly be missed.’ Former Motherwell chief executive Dempster’s tempestuous tenure incorporated a historic Scottish
Cup win in 2016 and the controversial departure of Neil Lennon as manager. With rumours swirling around that Gordon could install his son at the helm of the Edinburgh club, Dempster nonetheless insisted yesterday that she had just decided the time was right to take her leave of the club and that she is looking forward to taking up a new challenge elsewhere. She said: ‘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. ‘The cup win was the highlight, of course, but there have been many fantastic moments. ‘I think it is genuinely 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.’