Michael Nicholson confirmed as CEO, C-suite expands

The best known secret in football was confirmed today as Michael Nicholson became Celtic chief executive officer, a position he carried out as acting CEO since Dominic McKay left the club in September.

Solicitor, Michael jointed the club from Glasgow firm Harper Macleod in 2013, where he acted on behalf of Celtic.  He has been a longstanding season ticket holder and lifelong supporter of the club.  More recently, he joined the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), where he acts as an arbitrator.

I know Michael.  He is an intelligent and passionate Celtic supporter.  He is ambitious for Celtic and will bring a singlemindedness to the job.  We wish him every success in what is an almost impossible job.

The move also sees the role of Chris McKay change.  Chris was previously Finance Director but is now Chief Financial Officer, “with a broader range of responsibilities”.  This is probably more significant than it sounds.  Peter Lawwell’s experience and influence is impossible to recruit and difficult to hand down, even to the sharpest minds.

In making Chris a “Chief”, Celtic have expanded their C-suite.  I expect we will see responsibilities distributed more widely going forward than they were in the past.  Some of us think they could do with a Chief Operating Officer too.