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Dame Pauline Green elected as Chair of SD

Former Co-operatives UK Chief Executive Pauline Green has been elected as Chair of Supporters Direct.

The appointment took place at Supporters Direct�s annual conference in Birmingham this month, which saw more than 150 delegates representing over 50 trusts from around the country.

Ms Green said she had been an admirer of the work of Supporters� Direct since it was set up in 1999:

�I�ve watched the success of Supporters Direct over the last 10 years with admiration. The growth has been phenomenal. It is hugely exciting for me to be part of a leading edge organisation that brings in tens of thousands of people to the co-operative model.�

Dave Boyle, Chief Executive of Supporters Direct, said:

�I'm absolutely delighted Dame Pauline is joining our team and it's a huge vote of confidence for the organisation that someone of Dame Pauline's abilities is joining us."

"Supporters Direct owes its existence to two sources: the inspiration of Brian Lomax and the support of the co-operative movement. With her fantastic co-operative and political experience, she will help us extend Brian�s legacy.

She replaces Supporters Direct founder Brian Lomax OBE, who held the position of Chair from 2005, having spent 3 years as its first Managing Director, before stepping down at this year�s Conference.

Dame Pauline commented

�Brian received a standing ovation from the Conference which was incredibly heartfelt and showed just how much people appreciate and value his work for the trust movement. I have a hard act to follow, but I know he�ll be on hand to help, as will my colleagues on the SD Board.�

For more, including pictures, please contact kevin.rye@supporters-direct.org

-----------------------Statement Ends---------------------

EDITOR�S NOTES:

About Pauline Green:

� Pauline Green was Chief Executive of Co-operativesUK, the union of Co-operative Enterprises, from 2000 to her retirement on October 7th. In her time there she is credited for leading a resurgence of the co-operative movement that has turned around a historic decline.

� Prior to becoming CEO of Co-operativesUK, she was MEP from 1989-2000 for London, and was leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party, and Leader of the European Socialist Group in the European Parliament from 1994-99.

� She is a lifelong co-operator, holding various roles in the movement prior to becoming an MEP.

� SD is a mutual, owned by its members, and funded in England by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund � the partner organisation of the Football Foundation, in Scotland by the Scottish Government, and in Rugby League by the RFL and the Co-operative Group.
� We have assisted in setting up over 150 supporters' trusts in England and Scotland.
� Trusts have a combined membership of over 120,000 people
� Trusts have now put over £25 million into football, have 15 clubs in ownership or control
� There are over 45 directors representing trusts on the boards of clubs, with over 50% elected by the membership; over 110 have shares in their clubs.

For further information, please contact: Kevin Rye, Communications, Supporters Direct: 020 7273 1595/07852 998542 or email: press@supporters-direct.org

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