Rangers Appoint Jim Gillespie as New Chief Executive
Rangers Football Club has officially announced the appointment of Jim Gillespie, former vice-chairman of St Mirren, as its new chief executive.
The position has remained vacant since the dismissal of Patrick Stewart in November. Chairman Andrew Cavenagh stated that Gillespie was selected after discussions with an "exceptional group of candidates from Scotland and Europe."
Gillespie has stepped down from his position at St Mirren after five years and currently serves as the chief executive of Kibble, a social care charity that co-owns the Paisley club.
Rangers indicated that Gillespie will assume his new role "later in the season," while Fraser Thornton will continue to serve as acting chief executive until that time, after which he will transition to the role of executive director.
In September 2024, Gillespie had previously withdrawn from negotiations to become Rangers' chief executive and had also turned down offers from English clubs. Since then, the Ibrox club has been acquired by Cavenagh's US-based consortium, which led to the removal of Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell after just 11 months in their positions.
Expressing gratitude for the board's "confidence" in him, Gillespie remarked on the club's website: "Rangers Football Club is a historic institution, and it’s an honor to be asked to contribute to its leadership."
Stewart's departure followed a disappointing summer transfer window and a lackluster start to the season, which also resulted in the dismissal of head coach Russell Martin after only 17 matches.
Under the leadership of his successor, Danny Rohl, Rangers' performance and league standing have improved, and Cavenagh is optimistic that Gillespie will help sustain this positive momentum.
"Jim consistently distinguished himself with his understanding of what Rangers represents and the standards this club demands," said the chairman. "He impressed us with his leadership skills, ability to connect with the club and its supporters, and his capacity to operate at a high level on a daily basis."
Rangers highlighted Gillespie's experience in managing complex, regulated services for vulnerable children and young people at Kibble, where he oversaw a workforce of over 1,000 and guided the organization through significant transformations while enhancing its financial stability.
Additionally, since joining St Mirren's board in 2020, Gillespie has played a key role in the club's sporting success and financial fortification.