Eric Williamson has been appointed to the Everton board by The Friedkin Group
Everton owners, The Friedkin Group, have added another face to the club’s main board after completing their acquisition of the Toffees in December.
Having already brought about significant changes at boardroom level since arriving as owners, as per a filing on Companies House TFG have moved to add another experienced company executive, Eric Williamson, to the board.
He joins other TFG staff such as founder Dan Friedkin, executive chairman Marc Watts, Analaura Moreira-Dunkel, and pre-existing board members Colin Chong and Katie Charles.
Williamson, 58, is a well-known and experienced figure across TFG, and was last year named president of one of TFG’s main assets in its portfolio, its Gulf States Toyota business.
It serves as the primary dealership for the Japanese car manufacturer across the southern states of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
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Williamson has spent 35 years in various leadership roles at TFG and has had touch points with nearly every area of the business throughout his career, now adding Everton to that list.
His previous positions with Gulf States Toyota include director of marketing, director of accessory business development, director of fleet operations and vice president of human resources.
When Williamson was appointed to the role of president of Gulf States Toyota last year, chairman and CEO of the company, Friedkin, said: “I have had the pleasure of working with him for many years and am confident his leadership skills and strategic vision will position the company for continued success.”
TFG have wasted little time in making major changes since acquiring former owner Farhad Moshiri’s majority shareholding in the club a little over three months ago.
They decided to part company with ex-boss Sean Dyche and bring about a return for David Moyes as manager.
The former Everton boss has managed to guide the club to almost certain survival this season, all-but-ensuring they begin their new chapter in the 52,888-seater new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock as a member of the Premier League once again.
TFG have, crucially, refinanced the messy stadium debt that had been accrued through high-interest-bearing loans from various lenders by the former owners to complete the stadium build.
The £350million refinancing will save the club tens of millions in interest payments meach season, with some suggestions that figure could be as high as £50million.
“I take immense pride in welcoming one of England’s most historic football clubs to our global family, the Friedkin Group,” Friedkin said upon completing the takeover of the club in December.
“Everton represents a proud legacy, and we are honoured to become custodians of this great institution.
“While we are new to the club, we fully understand the vital role Everton plays in local culture, history, and the lives of Evertonians here and around the world.
“We are deeply committed to honouring this legacy while contributing positively to the community, economy, and people of this remarkable city.”
