Barnsley FC have appointed Frenchman Gauthier Ganaye as their new chief executive.
He has spent several years at French second division club RC Lens, working as director of marketing and international development as well as being on the executive committee. He was also in charge of negotiating their contracts and transfers as well as the administration of their successful academy. He will officially begin his role on June 12.
Ganaye told Barnsley's website: “I want to thank the owner and the board for their trust in me. I am honoured to be appointed chief executive officer of a 130-year-old institution like Barnsley FC.
"Coming from a mining area, I know what a club like Barnsley FC means to the community and fans. I understand the mining culture - people are modest, hardworking and loyal and I can assure you, this is how I will conduct myself as a Barnsley FC representative.
"I have had the opportunity to meet a number of people at the club including Paul Heckingbottom (head coach) and I am convinced that everybody is focused on driving the club to success both on and off the pitch.
"I am looking forward to starting at Oakwell and meeting the fans and employees and, of course, enjoying the experience of my first game there. Although I am not from Barnsley, I can assure you that I am very proud to become one of your own and have the opportunity to help the Club take the next steps to success."
Chairman Maurice Watkins said: “The owner and board are very pleased to welcome Gauthier Ganaye to Oakwell as our new chief executive. We believe that with the all-round experience he has gained at Racing Club de Lens, Gauthier Ganaye will prove to be an excellent acquisition for Barnsley FC and will very quickly play a significant role in the running and development of the club.”
The Reds have been without a chief executive for almost five months since the departure of Linton Brown in January. Ganaye will now work with head coach Paul Heckingbottom to build a squad for the 2017/18 Championship season.
Heckingbottom says he wants to bring in at least ten new players and has so far recruited Scottish midfielder Stevie Mallan from St Mirren.
