Pompey CEO to step down

Portsmouth Football Club would like to announce the resignation of Mark Catlin as Pompey’s chief executive.

He is stepping down to take up a position with The Topps Company, but will remain as a director of the club.

Andrew Mullen, MK Dons Executive Director will take up the post at Fratton Park from Tuesday, June 1.

Catlin arrived at Fratton Park in October 2012 to work voluntarily with the Pompey Supporters’ Trust and Presidents in helping save the club from extinction.

Mark was then appointed CEO as liquidation was avoided and, over the next few years, existing debts of more than £8 million and annual losses of more than £1 million were erased during the recovery from administration.

As a club built on a self-sustaining business model, Pompey have consistently – and proudly – posted EBITDA profits during Mark’s time as CEO and in 2016/17, achieved promotion as champions of League Two.

Additionally, during this period, a figure approaching £10 million has been spent on various works and strategic acquisitions around the Fratton Park stadium.

The club successfully completed a move to a new training facility in the city in 2015, while Mark remained as chief executive during the transition from fan to Tornante ownership during the summer of 2017.

Pompey Chairman Michael Eisner said: “Mark is one of the best businessmen I have known throughout my career and he has led Portsmouth Football Club with courage and tenacity from the dark days of administration to the bright and hopeful place we are today.

“I will continue to value his professional contributions – both as a member of the Pompey board and in his new role at Topps – and his friendship.”

Mark said: “It has been an absolute honour and privilege to have been CEO of Portsmouth Football Club. To represent this club and our supporters – I would argue some of the most loyal and passionate in the world – has genuinely been the greatest experience of my life.

“I have been extremely fortunate to work as part of a larger team throughout this period, with people who care passionately about Pompey.

“Whether staff, director or fan, we all share a deep love and emotional attachment to the club and city.

“Football isn’t an exact science and the ups and downs are all part of the emotional rollercoaster of caring so much about the club. If you don’t hurt with the lows, you can’t experience the joy and emotional feelings of the highs – the two are entwined.

“Taking on this exciting new challenge as General Manager of International Sports and Entertainment at The Topps Company enables me to continue my association with Portsmouth Football Club as it embarks on an exciting new era – both on and off the pitch.

“I want to thank Pompey fans for their support of the club during my time as CEO. It’s impossible to always agree in such a subjective sport and I have always welcomed opinions, whether they are positive or negative, from you all.

“In Michael Eisner and the board we have incredible owners. In Danny and Nicky we have an amazing new management team, and in Greg Miller we have an outstanding, bright academy manager.

“Along with the rest of the off-field team, who so much credit goes to, we are lucky to have an array of individuals who are some of the best – if not the best – in their relative areas of expertise, across all divisions.

“We are perfectly positioned to continue to build on the progress made, on and off the pitch, during my time as CEO.”

Pompey Chairman Michael Eisner said: “Andy Cullen has done a terrific job at MK Dons and his extensive experience in football, business and marketing will help us at Pompey in our relentless pursuit of success on and off the pitch.”

“He has huge shoes to fill in Mark’s absence, but I know he can do it – especially with Mark’s help in the transition and beyond.”

Cullen said: “I feel extremely privileged and incredibly excited to be given the opportunity by Michael Eisner and the Portsmouth FC board to succeed Mark Catlin as the club’s new CEO.

“The role comes with a massive responsibility to both the city of Portsmouth and to the football club.

“I do very much recognise the club’s rich heritage, strong traditions and, most critically, the dynamic connection with its passionate supporters and the local community, who all too recently came together, in remarkable fashion, to save their football club from going out of existence.

“Mark and his excellent team of colleagues, along with the support of so many others, have from these foundations, delivered a sustainable and vibrant football club and importantly, one which remains very much in touch with its community.

“Together with Danny and Nicky Cowley, I will try to do my very best to develop the outstanding work already undertaken by so many. I will work as hard as I can and contribute towards the delivery of an exciting future for everyone connected with Pompey.”

Catlin said: “I have known Andy professionally for a number of years and have always been impressed by his work ethic, integrity, experience and communication skills.

“I believe he will be the perfect fit for the club, staff, our board and supporters. This is an exciting time for the club and I wish Andy well for his future with us.”

Cullen joined MK Dons in November 2008 – having previously spent more than 10 years at Norwich City – and has also served as both a League One and Championship club representative on the board of the EFL.