West Ham United's Legal and Commercial Director Scott
Duxbury says that our success and progress on the pitch this year
has been matched by the Club's business-related growth off the
field.
A top 10 Premiership finish, qualification for the UEFA Cup and a memorable appearance in the FA Cup final may have deservedly gained the public recognition, but our development behind the scenes has been just as exciting.
Scott says: "People will obviously look at the past 12 months as the key example of our progress - and there is no doubt that the success achieved by Alan Pardew and his squad in that time has been nothing short of tremendous - but the club has been developing and moving forward for the past three years, ever since we were relegated and forced to change our entire structure.
"We've been working very hard behind the scenes throughout that period, but I think the problem is that, when you are in the Championship and results are not going as hoped, people don't really want to hear about the fact that good things are happening off the pitch.
"Quite rightly, supporters want to see success on the pitch, first and foremost. What makes it easier in the Premiership is that, when the football side of things are going well, people are prepared to listen to what is going on behind the scenes and maybe accept that the Club is actually well run and moving in the right direction.
"Commercially, that is certainly something we have addressed. Next season, we are going to be one of only four Premiership clubs to have full LED digital advertising boards around the stadium - a move that will generate fantastic incremental revenue and enable blue-chip companies to launch strategic advertising campaigns at the Boleyn Ground.
"We are doing all we can to improve the commercial environment at Upton Park and attract high-profile partners to come on board, which in turn leads to greater revenue for the Club that can be invested in the football team."
That investment in the playing squad is already in place for the summer, and Scott is keen to reassure supporters of the focus and determination held by the Club as we attempt to take our success to another level next season.
"Alan Pardew has big ambitions, and our job is to match that ambition," he says. "He has a clear idea of how he wants to strengthen the playing squad this summer and we will be doing all we can to make sure that occurs.
"We are all very much aware that we need to invest in order to keep moving forward. That includes the playing squad and it includes the commercial approach off the pitch - we have to keep progressing as a football team and as a business.
"The success we have enjoyed this season certainly hasn't taken our eye off the ball - if anything it has given us more hunger and determination to continue pushing the Club forward in the hope of experiencing more of it in the future."
And as part of the ongoing commercial restructuring, the Club are also pleased to announce the appointment of Nicola Lord as our new Partnership Manager. Nicola will be responsible for building the commercial relationships that will help shape the Club's future as a global sporting brand and admits she is excited by the challenge ahead.
"I'm delighted to be on board at West Ham United and really looking forward to the future here after such a fantastic first season back in the Premiership," says Nicola.
"I was attracted to the job simply because West Ham United is such an exciting brand with huge potential for the future. The FA Cup final proved how unique and passionate our supporters are, and the commercial possibilities here really are endless."
A top 10 Premiership finish, qualification for the UEFA Cup and a memorable appearance in the FA Cup final may have deservedly gained the public recognition, but our development behind the scenes has been just as exciting.
Scott says: "People will obviously look at the past 12 months as the key example of our progress - and there is no doubt that the success achieved by Alan Pardew and his squad in that time has been nothing short of tremendous - but the club has been developing and moving forward for the past three years, ever since we were relegated and forced to change our entire structure.
"We've been working very hard behind the scenes throughout that period, but I think the problem is that, when you are in the Championship and results are not going as hoped, people don't really want to hear about the fact that good things are happening off the pitch.
"Quite rightly, supporters want to see success on the pitch, first and foremost. What makes it easier in the Premiership is that, when the football side of things are going well, people are prepared to listen to what is going on behind the scenes and maybe accept that the Club is actually well run and moving in the right direction.
"Commercially, that is certainly something we have addressed. Next season, we are going to be one of only four Premiership clubs to have full LED digital advertising boards around the stadium - a move that will generate fantastic incremental revenue and enable blue-chip companies to launch strategic advertising campaigns at the Boleyn Ground.
"We are doing all we can to improve the commercial environment at Upton Park and attract high-profile partners to come on board, which in turn leads to greater revenue for the Club that can be invested in the football team."
That investment in the playing squad is already in place for the summer, and Scott is keen to reassure supporters of the focus and determination held by the Club as we attempt to take our success to another level next season.
"Alan Pardew has big ambitions, and our job is to match that ambition," he says. "He has a clear idea of how he wants to strengthen the playing squad this summer and we will be doing all we can to make sure that occurs.
"We are all very much aware that we need to invest in order to keep moving forward. That includes the playing squad and it includes the commercial approach off the pitch - we have to keep progressing as a football team and as a business.
"The success we have enjoyed this season certainly hasn't taken our eye off the ball - if anything it has given us more hunger and determination to continue pushing the Club forward in the hope of experiencing more of it in the future."
And as part of the ongoing commercial restructuring, the Club are also pleased to announce the appointment of Nicola Lord as our new Partnership Manager. Nicola will be responsible for building the commercial relationships that will help shape the Club's future as a global sporting brand and admits she is excited by the challenge ahead.
"I'm delighted to be on board at West Ham United and really looking forward to the future here after such a fantastic first season back in the Premiership," says Nicola.
"I was attracted to the job simply because West Ham United is such an exciting brand with huge potential for the future. The FA Cup final proved how unique and passionate our supporters are, and the commercial possibilities here really are endless."