Former Member of Parliament Michael Dugher has joined the Nottingham Forest board, while former chairman Tom Cartledge steps down from his role with immediate effect.
Dugher, a lifelong Forest supporter and regular attendee at the City Ground, previously served as patron and board member of the Nottingham Forest Community Trust.
Expressing his delight at the appointment, Dugher said:
“As a massive Forest fan, to be asked to join the board of the greatest football club on planet earth is a huge honour and a privilege.
“Thanks to the superb support and ongoing commitment of our owners, these are exciting times for Nottingham Forest – back where we belong competing amongst the elite of English football.
“I know how important the club is to the local community as well as to fans living across the country and indeed throughout the world. I hope I can use some of my experience to help the owners and the board continue to build the club from strength to strength.”
Dugher brings a wealth of experience to Forest, having previously served as Shadow Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport during his time in Parliament.
A graduate of the University of Nottingham, Dugher stood down as an MP in 2017 and has since worked as a business adviser, CEO, and director for various organisations across multiple sectors.
Forest chairman Nicholas Randall KC welcomed the appointment, saying:
“We are delighted to welcome Michael to our board of directors. He is an outstanding candidate as well as a fan of the club.
“His expertise in public affairs and his local knowledge and experience complements perfectly the existing skills on our board. He joins us at a very exciting time both on and off the field and we look forward to working with him.”
An Impressive CV
Announcing Dugher’s appointment, Forest highlighted his broad range of roles in both public and private sectors.
During his seven years in the House of Commons, Dugher held numerous senior positions, including serving as a special adviser in several Whitehall departments and as chief spokesman for Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Since leaving politics, Dugher has continued to excel in leadership roles, including as CEO of industry bodies and as a member of the Government’s Creative Industries Council.
He is also an advisor to various global firms and a trustee of several charities. Dugher’s local ties and professional expertise make him a valuable addition to the Forest board at a pivotal time for the club.
