Newport County AFC is pleased to confirm the majority takeover of the football club by Huw Jenkins OBE.
The EFL today sanctioned the ownership change after an extensive Owners and Directors Test and Acquisition of Control process that will see Huw purchase 52 per cent of the Exiles from the Supporters’ Trust who have owned and run the club since 2015.
Members voted by a substantial majority (98%) in favour of new ownership model at a special general meeting back in September. On completion of the EFL process, the former Swansea City chairman has today officially taken his place at the helm of the League Two club.
We thank Trust members and supporters for their patience and continued support.
The Supporters Trust will retain a 27 per cent shareholding in the club and two director places on the Board. Those two places will be initially held by current Trust directors Shaun Johnson and Paul Marks until the Trust holds its election for the two positions. The arrangements for the election will be discussed with Trust members in the second part of its coming AGM.
Previous Board members Peter Madigan, Mark Crook, Mike Everett and Bob Herrin have all stood down from the Board. The club would like to thank them for their work and commitment over recent years, and during the takeover process. They will continue to assist and advise Huw during the transition.
New Board members and staff structure will be confirmed in due course, and the Supporters’ Trust will continue to play a major role in the running of the club.
Huw’s takeover sees the Neath-born businessman return to a senior football role for the first time since leaving Swansea City back in 2019 following 17 successful years at the helm of the club.
During that time, he formed part of a local group, together with the Swans Supporters Trust, that rescued the club from relegation from the Football League in 2002 on the last day of the season. He then oversaw the club’s rise from the bottom of League Two to the Premier League, League Cup success at Wembley and European football – all on a limited budget and playing a unique brand of football.
His achievements earned him an OBE in 2015 for his services to Welsh football; an honorary degree from Swansea University; plus, the prestigious title of CEO of the Year' at the Football Business Awards.
His time at the Liberty Stadium eventually came to an end three years after a takeover of the club by an American consortium in 2016.
Further details to follow . . .