Business Advantages of Supporter Community ... - Supporters Direct

10 Transparency, Openness and Trust
Key Question:
Does supporter community ownership help encourage greater
transparency in club governance, particularly in relation to finances
Top Three Findings
i) The overwhelming belief amongst those clubs we spoke to was that there
is increased transparency at supporter community owned clubs. This
was backed up by findings from the supporter survey.
ii) More often than not, it was felt by club personnel that this was
something that they should do as well as something which is built into
the community benefit society structure, i.e. something they have to do.
iii) Transparency and openness were key factors in underpinning the
commitment of other strategic partners to the clubs.
Under Community Benefit Society
Under Community Benefit Society rules, all supporters’ trust owned clubs
rules, all supporters’ trust owned have to publish annual accounts which
clubs have to publish annual
have to be approved by members at
accounts which have to be approved their Annual General Meeting. Along
by members at their Annual
with the democratic election of the
General Meeting.
Community Benefit Society board,
this provides a level of scrutiny and
recourse for supporters as well as a level of public transparency which is
sometimes lacking at other clubs.
Although situations vary depending on whether clubs are formed as a
Community Benefit Society or if the trust owns a controlling stake, several
clubs demonstrated an additional level of commitment to transparency
and consultation with their members/owners beyond constitutional
requirements.
As discussed elsewhere in this report the level of openness has been
a significant factor in relationship development, notably with public
authorities.
Developing trust between clubs and supporters is an important business
advantage and can result in better financial performance, lower transaction
40 Supporters Direct Briefing Paper No.4