Friday 12 June 2015

Everton In The Community scoop international award

Ian Nuttall and Denise
Barrett-Baxendale with the
award received by
Everton In The Community.
Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Denise Barrett-Baxendale has paid tribute to “the huge amount of hard work, enterprise and courage shown every day by the Club, our fans, the Community scheme and all of our volunteers and participants” after Everton in the Community won the Outstanding Achievement Award at TheStadiumBusiness Awards 2015 in Barcelona.

Everton’s Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Executive of Everton in the Community accepted the prestigious award on Wednesday evening in Barcelona’s Camp Nou Stadium, the culmination of TheStadiumBusiness Summit which brings together senior industry figures from stadium sports businesses around the world.

Now in their sixth year, TheStadiumBusiness Awards are the only awards to recognise a whole spectrum of achievements from across the global stadium industry.

Everton’s multiple award-winning charity was recognised by an international judging panel for outstanding delivery of dedicated programmes which focus on education, health and wellbeing, exercise, disability, social inclusion and community cohesion and which positively impact people’s lives daily.

As well as representing Everton at TheStadiumBusiness Awards, Denise and Everton’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Richard Kenyon, delivered a keynote presentation at the Fan Experience Forum, showcasing the Club’s work in engaging with supporters all year round.

Denise commented: “I feel really privileged to accept this award in such prestigious company and such an amazing venue. This award reflects the huge amount of hard work, enterprise and courage shown every day by the Club, our fans, the Community scheme and all of our volunteers and participants.

“While it is me who was called up on stage to accept this accolade, it really is recognition for the many people who, both now and in the past, have shown determination and ambition to help drive us forward and make these positive impacts in people’s lives.

“Five years ago we committed to being the best sporting charity in the UK. To be described as the best in Europe not only reflects the breadth and quality of our work but motivates us to continue to deliver in line with our fans’ expectations - embodied by our Nil Satis ethos.”

Hundreds of nominations were whittled down to create the shortlist, some of which were voted for by the industry and some judged by an independent panel of industry figures, including: Andrew Daniels, CEO, Adelaide Oval; Al Guido, COO, San Francisco 49ers; Marie Lindqvist, GM, Stockholm Globe Arenas; Roger Maslin, MD, Wembley Stadium; Peter McKenna, Stadium & Commercial Director, Croke Park; Julian Jenkins, CEO, Servette FC; Richard Peddie, Former CEO, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment; Ian Nuttall, founder of TheStadiumBusiness/Xperiology.

Ian Nuttall, founder of TheStadium Business Awards, added: “Congratulations to everyone who reached the podium. Winners included our industry’s leaders, achievers and stand-out venues, who should all be very proud of their achievements.

“Everton is a club that makes a real difference in the lives of people at the heart of its community every day and its accomplishments are inspirational. Denise represents that commitment in the most fantastic way and for the accolade of Outstanding Achievement, the choice was crystal clear. The work the Club does sets the standard across Europe, and probably beyond.”

The Judging Panel endorsed this in their comments: “We are recognising Denise’s ongoing work delivering outstanding results for Everton Football Club, both in the community and at club level. Denise has played an integral part in improving the matchday experience of supporters, in turn helping to increase attendances and enhance Everton’s reputation both nationally and abroad.”

Monday 8 June 2015

Everton to sign Tom Cleverley

Tom Cleverley during his loan spell at
Aston Villa. (Image Source: BBC
Sport; Copyright: Getty Images)
Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Everton have agreed a deal to sign Tom Cleverley when his contract expires at Manchester United on July 1.

The 25-year-old England midfield player will arrive on a five-year contract, becoming the first signing of the summer by manager Roberto Martinez.

Cleverley, a key figure in the team which won the Premier League title in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season as manager at Old Trafford, made 38 Premier League appearances last season, 37 of which were on a season-long loan for Aston Villa.

Cleverley has been called up to the England squad for the upcoming friendly against the Republic of Ireland and the Euro 2016 qualifier against Slovenia, having secured 13 caps since making his debut in England’s first match after Euro 2012 in a 2-1 win against Italy at the Stade de Suisse in Bern.

He went on to play a big part in England’s qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, featuring in seven of the 10 group H games.

Manager Martinez said: “We are extremely delighted to be welcoming Tom to Everton and I can think of many reasons as to why our fans will enjoy Tom representing our football club.

“The most important one is that he is a perfect fit for what we are trying to build here as he has so much experience of playing in the Premier League and he still has his best years just ahead of him.

“At the age of 25 and a player who is representing his country, Tom has experienced winning trophies and having big roles in demanding teams. Having worked with him previously, I know the type of character he is and I know that, with the Everton fans’ support, we will get a very special footballer joining our already exciting team.

“It says a lot also, when someone like Tom is available on a free transfer and he can pick his next club out of many options home and abroad, that he has chosen to play for our football club. That’s the perfect start to his career here at Everton.”

Friday 5 June 2015

Blues leader nominated for international award

Denise Barrett-Baxendale
Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Everton Football Club

Everton’s Deputy Chief Executive has become the only UK sports leader to be shortlisted for a prestigious award at the international Stadium Business Awards 2015.

Denise Barrett-Baxendale, who is also Chief Executive Officer of Everton in the Community, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Executive of the Year category alongside global sports leaders from Baltimore Ravens, LA Dodgers and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, among others.

Launched in 2010, The Stadium Business Awards recognise leadership, innovation and achievements in the global sports and stadium industry, and the winners will be announced at a gala dinner at FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium on Wednesday June 10.

Denise commented: “It is a great honour to be nominated in this category alongside such prestigious international peers from across the world of sport.

“At Everton we continually work to break the boundaries and be the first to cover new ground whether that be as a football club, as Everton in the Community, or both. It gives me great pride to be shortlisted in this category as the only UK nominee and represent my club, charity and colleagues.”

In her dual role at Everton, Denise directs the non-football operations side of the club and its direct charitable engagement with the local community.

Since her appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Everton in the Community in January 2010, the charity has received a plethora of local, national and international award wins in recognition of the life-changing work it undertakes on a daily basis. Meanwhile, Denise’s Club position sees her working to improve fan engagement, the matchday experience for supporters and raising standards within the club.