Club’s Legal Director/Secretary promoted to Sporting & Technical Director (Designate) post
ALBION have appointed Richard Garlick as the Club’s new Sporting & Technical Director (Designate).
The 36-year-old, who was promoted to the Football Club Board as Legal Director/Secretary in December 2010, has been seconded to the role to succeed Dan Ashworth, who will leave this summer to become The Football Association’s new Director of Elite Development.
Garlick will now work closely with Ashworth during a handover period to ensure the Club are prepared for the summer transfer window.
Garlick’s appointment follows a similar pattern to that of Ashworth, who was also promoted from within in a designate capacity in December 2007. He will be responsible for the first team, player recruitment, medical services and Academy.
Garlick has already forged strong links with all four key departments in his current post and Chairman Jeremy Peace is confident he can continue the progress Ashworth has made.
“This is an important appointment for the Club,” said Peace.
“We decided to recruit an individual with a current working knowledge of the English game. Therefore we conducted an extensive search in the UK to benchmark all possible candidates to replace Dan.
“As the Sporting & Technical Director role is not yet firmly established in this country, the fact Dan’s notice period runs until the summer has given us the opportunity to research a wide range of people with a variety of footballing skill sets.
“We have had Richard in mind since the start of the process and after completing our research, he emerged as the strongest candidate.
“As with Dan when he was initially appointed five years ago, Richard already has an in-depth knowledge of the Club, excellent relationships with the staff who will report to him and a clear understanding of how we operate.
“He will now work closely with Dan in a designate capacity with a view to taking on the role in a full capacity when Dan leaves to join The FA.”
Garlick was on Rotherham United’s books between the ages of 14 and 18 but after missing out on a pro contract, he opted for a career in the legal profession.
After qualifying as a lawyer, he specialised in sporting disputes during his time with Clarke Willmott before joining Albion in May 2010, initially as Legal Counsel/Secretary.
Garlick was appointed to the Football Club Board seven months later and has been heavily involved in first-team affairs, working alongside Ashworth in dealing with players, their contracts and transfers. His regular dealings with The FA, Barclays Premier League and Football League will also prove invaluable in his new role.
“This is a great opportunity and I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” said Garlick.
“Dan will be a hard act to follow but the role has become solidly established at the Club under his stewardship.
“I know what the job is all about as I’ve worked closely with Dan for the past two-and-a-half years.
“I’m sure Dan will be the first to admit that the success he has enjoyed would not have been possible without the support of the individuals within his departments.
“He has created an environment that has allowed each of his departments to flourish and this is something I aim to continue and, where possible, build upon.
“Steve Clarke has made an excellent start following his appointment as Head Coach and I aim to continue to provide a platform which enables him to succeed.”
Clarke has welcomed Garlick’s appointment.
“I have found working with a Sporting & Technical Director hugely beneficial since I joined the Club,” he said.
“I already have an excellent working relationship with Richard and can see why he has been given this opportunity.
“I look forward to working with him in his new role as we aim to keep moving the Club forward.”
Ashworth also believes the Sporting & Technical Director role will be in safe hands when he leaves for St George’s Park.
“Richard has proved to be an excellent colleague – especially through his dealings with the departments under my remit,” he said.
“This role is a natural progression for Richard and he will be ably supported by some hard-working staff who have been a great help to me over the past five years.”
Albion will now begin the process of recruiting a new Legal Counsel/Secretary.