Everton in the Community has appointed Richard Cronin as its new Executive Director to oversee the continued growth of the official charity of Everton Football Club.
The appointment of Cronin to Executive Director of Everton in the Community comes after Richard Kenyon stepped down from his role as the charity’s Chief Executive Officer to take on an expanded and strategically pivotal role for Everton as the Club’s Director of Communications, Revenue and International Growth. A key focus of Kenyon’s new position is to maximise the opportunities associated with Everton’s new stadium development.
Cronin takes the helm as Executive Director after an unprecedented period of growth for the charity, overseen by Kenyon since his appointment as CEO in 2018. In the last three years the charity has achieved record-breaking revenues in consecutive years, in line with an ambitious growth plan devised by Kenyon. Having doubled the size of the charity and significantly increased the number and breadth of the projects delivered, Kenyon hands the reins over to Cronin with the charity perfectly poised to drive forward the opportunities presented by the Goodison Legacy – a £100m community-led regeneration project.
Cronin brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role as an experienced teacher and leader with over 30 years in the profession, he is a recently retired principal who has worked across several educational settings, most recently holding the position of Principal of Everton Free School and Football College for many years. During his tenure at the school, he oversaw significant growth and expansion, including successful collaborations with Everton in the Community to the benefit of its students, its staff and volunteers and the local community.
Under his leadership at Everton Free School, links were also developed with organisations across Liverpool City Region to provide students with experiences of the world of work and opportunities to deliver community projects. The school and football college are an integral part of the Everton Family sitting alongside Everton in the Community and under the umbrella of the Club, Richard has ensured there are strong links forged with the charity to provide enhanced opportunities for students to be involved in community programmes and to also benefit and take part in community-based activities.
Students have benefited from the volunteering opportunities provided and the chance to help other people. In addition, students have also taken up apprenticeships and full-time positions in the Club and charity.
In his new role with the charity, Richard Cronin will work closely with its existing Directors and Board of Trustees to grow and develop the Club’s charitable arm with a specific focus on its educational portfolio and enhancing the many opportunities presented by the Goodison Park Legacy Project.
Reflecting on his recent appointment as Executive Director, Richard Cronin said:
“The opportunity to join Everton in the Community at such a progressive time in its history is incredibly exciting and I look forward to working closely with its fantastic team of Directors and dedicated and committed staff to continue to drive the charity forwards.”
Speaking about the changes within Everton in the Community, Richard Kenyon said:
“I look back over my three years as CEO with great pride at what we have collectively been able to achieve together. Everton in the Community stepped up to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and supported tens of thousands of people when they needed it most and is emerging from the pandemic stronger than it’s ever been.
“I would like to thank the Board of Trustees for their strategic guidance, our fantastic team of Directors for their dedication and commitment in ensuring that Everton in the Community is at the forefront of social intervention and all staff and volunteers who I have had the pleasure of working alongside for the last three years; I have never met a more passionate and caring group of people and they are the heartbeat of our magnificent charity. I wish Richard every success in continuing to drive the charity forward.”
For more information on Everton in the Community visit www.evertoninthecommunity.org