Director of Football Kevin Thelwell presented to Everton's Fan Advisory Board (FAB) at their latest meeting with the Club last week.
 
Despite football operations not being part of the Fan Advisory Board’s official remit, supporters had raised direct questions to the FAB on the Club’s over-arching strategy and how that aligns with the football strategy.
 
Thelwell outlined his vision to take Everton forward and the strategic framework shaped by the recommendations of the Club’s football review that will target performance and development pathways.
 
He explained that four strategic pillars have been at the centre of his planning since he took up his role in February this year.
 
It is a framework that is focused on shaping a consistent identity across all Everton teams from the Academy through to the senior men's and women's teams, the support structures that are placed around players and coaches and the ongoing development of staff, all delivered through the filter of the Club's values and standard.

>>> Click here to read a summary from the Fan Advisory Board meeting with the Club
 
Graeme Sharp, Everton's Players’ Life President and a non-executive Director, was also in attendance, alongside the Club's Chief Commercial and Communications Officer Richard Kenyon and senior leadership representatives from Everton's Governance, Communications and Legal teams.
 
Chair Jazz Bal explained that the FAB - an independent body comprised of fan-elected members and nominated representatives of key supporter groups – had convened on four occasions since an introductory meeting with Sharp and Everton CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale in July. He confirmed that several sub-committees have been established to help shape the function and approach of the FAB going forward. The group also reported that a member of the FAB has attended the Merseyside Police Supporter Liaison Group and has engaged with fan leads from other clubs to find out how their advisory or shadow boards are progressing.  
 
The Fan Advisory Board’s communications sub-group is finalising a bespoke website and will be releasing the full Q&A, which includes questions directly from fans to the Club, next month. 
 
Richard Kenyon provided a commercial update, outlining the short and long-term commercial objectives and the strategies being implemented to achieve them. He provided a detailed update on the new revenue achieved from long-term high value partnership deals secured since the summer and provided insight into important new revenue streams, including plans for non-matchday at the new stadium and international projects. He also discussed Season Ticket pricing at both Goodison, and looking ahead to the new stadium. 
 
The Fan Advisory Board enquired when Everton’s annual accounts would be released. The Club confirmed that it would engage with the group and inform them of a release date when one is confirmed.  
 
As part of the FAB’s request for an update on Everton’s position in relation to the European Super League, the Club asked the FAB to consult with the fanbase to gauge opinions and sentiment that would help inform the Club's position should any proposals be brought forward in future. The FAB will establish feedback on the proposed New Deal for Football and the implementation of the independent regulator proposed by Tracey Crouch MP's 2021 fan-led review.
 
The Club also explained that it is actively encouraging supporters to contribute to the Government's ‘Future of Women’s Football’ review, announced in September. The review, which is seeking responses via a call for evidence, will focus on the three key themes of growing audiences, increasing commercial and broadcasting revenue, and examining the existing governance structures within the women's game.

Click here to read a summary from the Fan Advisory Board meeting with the Club.
 
The FAB's next meeting with Club officials will take place in February 2023.