Port Vale is delighted to announce the appointment of Richard Wood (pictured) to the club Board as Non-Executive Director.

Richard, the Chief Executive Officer of sister company Synectics Solutions, brings with him a wealth of business experience and expertise.

He joined Synectics in 2008 and quickly progressed from his initial role as Fraud Consultant and increased his responsibilities with a number of senior management roles.

Richard has been on the Board of Directors at Synectics, firstly as Operations Director with accountability for leading all of the company’s technical operations, and more recently as Business Development Director, responsible for the sales, product and market functions.

In January of this year Richard was appointed Chief Executive Officer at Synectics. He now directs and controls the company’s operations and gives guidance and direction to the Board to ensure that the company achieves its ambitious growth objectives.

Port Vale co-owner and Chair Carol Shanahan said: “Since Synectics moved to Burslem, Rich has taken a keen interest in the local community – sitting on the Burslem Regeneration Trust board and Chairing Burslem’s Neighbourhood Plan.

“We feel it is important to have a Director on the Port Vale board who was distant enough from the day-to-day operations and yet close enough to provide challenge and strategic insight.

“Given Rich’s experience and, given that he has already proven a great asset to Port Vale by helping to create and deliver our plans to buy the club and transition through the first year of custodianship, he was the obvious choice for a Non-Exec Director.

“Supporters will get to know Rich in the coming months and I am sure everyone will join me in welcoming him to the Port Vale family.”

Rich commented: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the board of PVFC. It’s a huge honour to be contributing some time and energy to the club at a time when so many positive changes are underway.  I hope my experiences will lend a creative contribution to the board’s future plans, with independent oversight and a constructive challenge.”

“The forward-thinking leadership at PVFC has achieved incredible things in their first year, particularly given the macro environment and the extreme difficulties all clubs and their supporters currently face.  I intend to contribute positively to this momentum that has been built through Carol’s astute foresight, reinforcing the upward trajectory of the club and its place at the heart of the community.”