BIRMINGHAM City Ladies Football Club have announced renowned businessman Tim Andrews has been appointed Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect – and he believes exciting times lie in wait.
The appointment of Andrews marks a new era for the Solihull-based club, which remains in the highest division of women’s football in England, the FA Women’s Super League 1.
Andrews will be responsible for off-field activities, particularly developing the club in an ever increasingly competitive and financially demanding climate.
When asked about becoming CEO, Andrews said: “What can I say? I am honoured and truly delighted to be taking on this role at BCLFC.
“Over the past five years I have got to know both the management team and players well and have seen the club really embrace the increasing popularity of women’s football in the UK and across the world.
“Steve Shipway is an incredible act to follow. His ongoing passion and dedication is something that I will aim to echo and, with him by my side in his role as deputy, I know his football knowledge teamed with my business experience will really take BCLFC to the next level.
“We want to be competing with those top teams and dominating the Women’s Super League.”
After 25 years serving the club, Shipway will remain within the management team as Deputy CEO, providing Andrews with unrivalled knowledge of the game, the players and strategies to help grow the club.
Shipway said: “The club has come a long way in the last five years since FAWSL 1 was set up, but the game is progressing at a fast pace and we have to step up our performance to keep up.
“The introduction of Tim as CEO means we are doubling the senior management team whilst adding skill sets that have been missing over the years.
“Tim is a successful businessman who has a deep knowledge of Birmingham City Ladies through his very proactive sponsorship over the last four years. I am really looking forward to working with Tim and to taking the club on to new levels.”
Andrews added: “Whilst my football management knowledge is nowhere near that of Steve, I have supported Blues from a young age and my business – Hollywood Monster – has supported both the men’s and women’s clubs in various guises, including being a sponsor of the women’s team for the past five years.
“This role is a dream come true and I promise both the club and fans that I will deliver and help realise the ambitions of everyone at BCLFC.”
A well known figure in the region’s business community, Andrews set up Hollywood Monster with his father back in August 2009, with the coming together of sister companies Hollywood Signs and Monster Digital.
Employing around 80 people, their 30,000 sq ft headquarters is situated in Tyseley and is the largest graphics solutions business in the West Midlands.
Clients include Westfield, Barratt Homes and Prologis, as well as project work such as the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and FA Cup final.
Andrews’ experience and connections across the UK’s business world will be used to help BCLFC create new revenue streams and commercial opportunities to ensure it competes with other teams in the league such as Chelsea Ladies, Manchester City Women and Arsenal Ladies, who finished in the 2015 top three Super League spots.
