Southern to take on MD role at Hearts FC
Former marketing and communications director David Southern has been appointed managing director of Heart of Midlothian Football Club.
Previously marketing and communications director at the Edinburgh club, Southern will manage day-to-day operations and advise the Board on matters including opportunities to increase revenues and improve operational efficiencies.
The 44 year-old is a familiar face to many Hearts supporters, business partners and football authorities having been a member of the club’s senior management team since joining the Tynecastle side in August 2005.
He has worked closely with supporters groups including Heart of Midlothian Shareholders Association, the Federation of Hearts Supporters Clubs, the Heart of Midlothian Supporters Trust and the former Fans Forum.
Director Sergejus Fedotovas said: “David Southern has been with the club for several years and knows all about it. He is a passionate supporter, has agood sense of business and knows our supporters and partners very well. I am pleased with the decision to appoint him as managing director. It is good to have people in the team who are as passionate and as knowledgeable in football business."
David Southern said: “Naturally I am delighted to continue supporting the Board’s work in developing the club. I moved into this new role in recent months and given my experience at Hearts and indeed my previous experience as an owner and director of a successful business, I am looking forward to the challenge ahead. I have always viewed it as a privilege to work with Hearts and I fully plan to continue to play my part in strengthening our off-field position. It is well documented that football is a challenging business environment both domestically and globally, however I am confident that Hearts is well placed to benefit from some of the predicted future changes in Scottish and European football.”