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Hello: Please find below the statement I submitted for the Trust board election. There was a sentence removed in the papers sent to members for voting (the sentence that describes my experience from being Chairman of the Board of IPIECA, an industry association). Please let me know if you have any questions for me, either publicly here or privately to rupert.thomas@shell.com and I will respond. Thanks for your consideration. Rupert Thomas.
I am 52 years old and grew up in Swansea. I have supported the Swans all my life through the good years as well as the difficult times.
We are now entering a challenging and uncertain period for both the football club and the Trust, and there are a number of complex issues ahead. I would like to put my energy and experience into ensuring that the Trust plays a strong and positive role in representing Swansea supporters to secure the best possible future for the football club. I believe the Trust membership needs to be expanded significantly and transparency improved in order for the Trust to more effectively represent Swansea supporters and to become more credible.
In my professional life I work for Royal Dutch Shell plc in a Vice President role. I have worked for the company for 29 years in operational, commercial, finance, communications and strategy roles. I have mainly worked in the UK, the Netherlands, and the USA. I have negotiated multi-decade commercial agreements and am experienced in legal and governance matters. I have worked closely with members of the Board of Directors of Shell. I am myself currently chairman of the Board of Directors of IPIECA (an industry association).
I live near London and visit Swansea twice a month to watch the Swans and visit family and friends. If elected I can readily attend the monthly Trust Board meetings and related activities.
Following the Swans has been an important part of my life and I would like to ensure our supporters have a club that we are proud of going forward.
For the record, based on what I know, my view is that the Trust should take all legal remedies that are still available, including direct legal action against the current majority shareholders and former owners.
I previously answered some questions in the thread at the link below:
I need 6 people who are paid-up Trust members as of 16 June to support me standing for election to the Trust Board. Below is my draft 250 words. If you are willing to support my nomination, please send an email note to me at rupert.thomas@shell.com stating the following (this is the required text from the nomination form):
Quote: “I, [insert your name], of [insert your address], support the nomination of the candidate Rupert Thomas to stand in the forthcoming election to the Swansea City Trust Board for a period of one or two years if successful.”
Thanks in advance. Due to the prehistoric request for physical signatures it is not certain that email confirmation of nomination will be accepted, but let us see.
For the record, based on what I know, my view is that the Trust should take all legal remedies that are still available at this late stage. I may include that in my statement … although I suspect it will lessen the chances of being elected. I have been on Planet Swans for many years although do not post often. I think the only person on here I have met is Garyjack (I’m the bloke you gave the old programmes to — thanks again).
Thanks for your consideration. Below is the draft 250 words.
I am 52 years old and grew up in Swansea. I have supported the Swans all my life through the good years as well as the difficult times.
We are now entering a challenging and uncertain period for both the football club and the Trust, and there are a number of complex issues ahead. I would like to put my energy and experience into ensuring that the Trust plays a strong and positive role in representing Swansea supporters to secure the best possible future for the football club. I believe the Trust membership needs to be expanded significantly and transparency improved in order for the Trust to more effectively represent Swansea supporters and for the Trust to become a more credible representative of supporters.
In my professional life I work for Royal Dutch Shell plc in a Vice President role. I have worked for the company for almost 30 years in operational, commercial, finance, communications and strategy roles. I have mainly worked in the UK, the Netherlands, and the USA. I have negotiated multi-decade commercial agreements and am experienced in legal and governance matters. I have worked closely with members of the Board of Directors of Shell. I am myself currently chairman of the Board of Directors of IPIECA (an industry association).
I live near London and visit Swansea regularly to watch the Swans and visit family and friends. I co-own a season ticket with my brother. If elected I can readily attend monthly Swans Trust Board meetings.
Following the Swans has been an important part of my life and I would like to ensure our supporters have a club that we are proud of going forward.
Rupert, you'll certainly have one of my votes too. Please though all I ask, is that you follow through with your statement above. Help make OUR Trust one to be proud of again and not the embarrassment it has become! Good luckðŸ‘
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Trust Board election — Rupert Thomas on 08:32 - Jul 14 with 9643 views
Trust Board election — Rupert Thomas on 02:37 - Jul 14 by UplandsJack
Rupert, you'll certainly have one of my votes too. Please though all I ask, is that you follow through with your statement above. Help make OUR Trust one to be proud of again and not the embarrassment it has become! Good luckðŸ‘
Thanks, and if elected I will do my best. I am encouraged to see many people standing who seem minded to make real change happen.
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Trust Board election — Rupert Thomas on 08:57 - Jul 14 with 9603 views
Don't waste your time and leave it to the trust muppets who fought so hard for no action to be taken against the sellouts for whatever reason, hopefully one day that reason will come out.
OUT AFLI SUCK IT UP REMOANER LOSERS
🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧 🇬🇧
Trust Board election — Rupert Thomas on 09:27 - Jul 14 by monmouth
I already voted for you, Clase, Phil, and two others I can’t remember now. I really liked your statement. I hope you are elected.
Like you Monny im going with Clasie and of course Rupert too. But I must admit im really torn with putting a tick against Phils name. I cant help but keep thinking back to the way he pushed the the "Non Legal Route" last year, plus of course the shambles that was the Cooze revelations and the way that was all handled. He along with others, some of whom are still there, completely took their eye off the game / became too cosy in position. I also felt his communication/transparency with us, the members he was supposed to represent, was simply terrible. Dont get me wrong I fully understand there are sometimes sensitive topics which may need to be withheld for a time, but it was pretty much across the board.
That all said, reading what he's posted in the last few months including his statement, I do get a sense that he wants the chance to right at least some of the wrongs which happened under his watch. What to do hey.....🤔 As for anyone else i simply have no idea as ive not seen anyone elses statement. Is Lisa standing again?
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Trust Board election — Rupert Thomas on 15:48 - Jul 14 with 9388 views
Trust Board election — Rupert Thomas on 08:57 - Jul 14 by pikeypaul
Far to qualified.
Don't waste your time and leave it to the trust muppets who fought so hard for no action to be taken against the sellouts for whatever reason, hopefully one day that reason will come out.
Aye RT?... He sure does have the credibility, background, qualifications and experience in exactly the right required elite high-ranking private/corporate/big business sector to give the sellouts and Yanks sleepless nights!
Perhaps? A reason the (your quote) "trust muppets" ended up being white flag waving collaborators? Maybe they knew they were completely out of their depth and knew they would be seen as zero-threat and a complete and utter joke by Yanks, Jenkins and Co. Perhaps some trust impostors were both intimidated and knee-capped by their shortcomings from the very start.
The supporters/SCST needs Red-Adair-esque 'private-sector-specialists' to take the fight to the enemy because a bunch of 'alien to the situation/environment' ex-public sector or current public sector employees are exactly what Jenkins and Yankees would desperately want. There is a required situation(s) of poachers being extremely wary to come against gamekeepers. Or soldiers being extremely wary to come against other soldiers as opposed to an ineffectual 'all-singing-all-dancing' drag artist entertainment troupe.
[Post edited 14 Jul 2018 18:36]
Argus!
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Trust Board election — Rupert Thomas on 20:22 - Jul 14 with 9223 views
Trust Board election — Rupert Thomas on 15:38 - Jul 14 by UplandsJack
Like you Monny im going with Clasie and of course Rupert too. But I must admit im really torn with putting a tick against Phils name. I cant help but keep thinking back to the way he pushed the the "Non Legal Route" last year, plus of course the shambles that was the Cooze revelations and the way that was all handled. He along with others, some of whom are still there, completely took their eye off the game / became too cosy in position. I also felt his communication/transparency with us, the members he was supposed to represent, was simply terrible. Dont get me wrong I fully understand there are sometimes sensitive topics which may need to be withheld for a time, but it was pretty much across the board.
That all said, reading what he's posted in the last few months including his statement, I do get a sense that he wants the chance to right at least some of the wrongs which happened under his watch. What to do hey.....🤔 As for anyone else i simply have no idea as ive not seen anyone elses statement. Is Lisa standing again?
It is of course your entitlement to vote for the people you feel right and that is why I support any ballot - I have cast my votes in the ballot, I have not used all 7.
In terms of where I stand at the moment your last paragraph sums it up. Sometimes time away can make things much clearer and that - coupled with some very key people who seconded and backed my application - made me stand again. Which I did not think I would do 3 months back.
The time is now to stand up and make sure that any wrongs (perceived or otherwise) are corrected and I think my 250 words says the rest.
But I respect your right to vote for who you feel is right for the roles available.
Also a thank you to those who have cast votes in my direction so far
This post has been edited by an administrator
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Trust Board election — Rupert Thomas on 21:08 - Jul 14 with 9157 views
Trust Board election — Rupert Thomas on 15:38 - Jul 14 by UplandsJack
Like you Monny im going with Clasie and of course Rupert too. But I must admit im really torn with putting a tick against Phils name. I cant help but keep thinking back to the way he pushed the the "Non Legal Route" last year, plus of course the shambles that was the Cooze revelations and the way that was all handled. He along with others, some of whom are still there, completely took their eye off the game / became too cosy in position. I also felt his communication/transparency with us, the members he was supposed to represent, was simply terrible. Dont get me wrong I fully understand there are sometimes sensitive topics which may need to be withheld for a time, but it was pretty much across the board.
That all said, reading what he's posted in the last few months including his statement, I do get a sense that he wants the chance to right at least some of the wrongs which happened under his watch. What to do hey.....🤔 As for anyone else i simply have no idea as ive not seen anyone elses statement. Is Lisa standing again?
I’m an affiliate board member Uplands. I don’t stand for election as I’m not a full board member. I’m instead there to offer some advice on my particular area of specialism (finance related stuff). I can’t vote (downside) but I’m able to give impartial advice and observations without others thinking it’s because I’m voting a certain way (upside).
In the time I’ve been involved, I think I’ve given as much advice and feedback as possible, no less than I would as a full board member, but it allows me to devote my energy to stuff that I think I’m best able to help (the current mediation for example).
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Trust Board election — Rupert Thomas on 09:53 - Jul 15 with 8953 views
Thanks also to you Phil, for taking the time to reply. I do believe being on the outside looking in has re-ignighted your passion and hopefully also reinvigorated you too to fight the good fight. Phil you will have my vote, but please just remember if you are successful in getting elected, just how frustrated you've felt being on the outside, not knowing whats going on. Make it a priority to be as transparent as legally possible, to the membership and infact fanbase as a whole. Communication is key to building the support the trust will need going forward. Pob lwc ðŸ‘
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Trust Board election — Rupert Thomas on 10:18 - Jul 17 with 8628 views
Trust Board election — Rupert Thomas on 09:27 - Jul 14 by monmouth
I already voted for you, Clase, Phil, and two others I can’t remember now. I really liked your statement. I hope you are elected.
I am definitely going for Rupert Thomas and Clase.
I am torn on Phil - I think his initial strategy was wrong but gets it now. He also understands the issues from a commercial perspective, which I really don’t think most of the other candidates do. Just my view.
I am 50-50 on some of the other candidates but if I vote for them might mean they then beat Clase and Rupert Thomas.
Although that probably means that other candidates, who have been existing members of the Trust Board and have led has into this current mess - will probably be re-elected ahead of my 50/50 candidates.
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Trust Board election — Rupert Thomas on 09:15 - May 21 with 7496 views
I noted this weekend the Trust board laying out the timetable for the summer election so thought it would be good to see how these statements that flew around last summer panned out
710 Ballot Papers were returned, 4 were spoiled and the total votes cast were: Phil Sumbler 532 votes Andrew Mcglashan 521 votes Tim Bull 508 votes Rupert Thomas 463 votes Viv Brooks 441 votes
Andrew Cude 431 votes Barbara Cook 405 votes*
Dave Dalton 405 votes* Roger Goodwin 377 votes * position decided by a drawing of lots As a result the first five named candidates are elected to serve on the Trust Board from 1 August 2018 for a period of two years. The next two named candidates are elected to serve on the Trust Board from 1 August 2018 for one year.
Be interesting to know how the likes of Rupert and Tim and others got on given they were active on here last summer canvassing votes, not sure I have heard a great deal from them although I think Tim was on Sky once.
Anyone know anything about the likes of Barbara or Andrew McGlashan?
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Trust Board election — Rupert Thomas on 18:07 - May 21 with 7333 views
Trust Board election — Rupert Thomas on 09:15 - May 21 by swanseajack2013
I noted this weekend the Trust board laying out the timetable for the summer election so thought it would be good to see how these statements that flew around last summer panned out
710 Ballot Papers were returned, 4 were spoiled and the total votes cast were: Phil Sumbler 532 votes Andrew Mcglashan 521 votes Tim Bull 508 votes Rupert Thomas 463 votes Viv Brooks 441 votes
Andrew Cude 431 votes Barbara Cook 405 votes*
Dave Dalton 405 votes* Roger Goodwin 377 votes * position decided by a drawing of lots As a result the first five named candidates are elected to serve on the Trust Board from 1 August 2018 for a period of two years. The next two named candidates are elected to serve on the Trust Board from 1 August 2018 for one year.
Be interesting to know how the likes of Rupert and Tim and others got on given they were active on here last summer canvassing votes, not sure I have heard a great deal from them although I think Tim was on Sky once.
Anyone know anything about the likes of Barbara or Andrew McGlashan?