Jim Gillespie has resigned from his role as vice-chairman of St Mirren FC after accepting a new position as chief executive of Rangers FC.
Gillespie has been a director at St Mirren since 2020 and served as vice-chair since 2021. During that time, he played a key role in the club’s transition to fan ownership and helped develop the partnership with the Kibble Group, which continues to support children and young people across the local community.
He brings significant senior leadership experience, having previously served as chief executive of Kibble, one of Scotland’s leading social care charities. In that role, Gillespie oversaw complex, regulated services for vulnerable children and young people and managed a workforce of more than 1,000 staff.
During his time at Kibble, he led the organisation through a period of transformation, strengthening its financial position while maintaining a strong focus on service delivery and standards.
At St Mirren, Gillespie contributed to a period of on-field success while also helping to improve the club’s financial stability. The club has wished him well in his new role and thanked him for his service to St Mirren and the wider Paisley community.
St Mirren chairman John Needham said he was grateful for Gillespie’s contribution during his time at the club, praising his vision and leadership as vice-chair. He added that their time working together included a number of highlights on and off the pitch, culminating in this season’s Premier Sports Cup Final.
At Rangers, Fraser Thornton will continue to serve as acting chief executive until Gillespie takes up his post later in the season. Thornton will then move into the role of executive director, maintaining a significant day-to-day presence at the club and leading key stakeholder relationships while working closely with Gillespie to deliver the board’s strategy.
Andrew Cavenagh said: “We spoke to an exceptional group of candidates across Scotland and Europe, and Jim consistently stood out for his understanding of what Rangers stands for and the standards this club demands.
“He impressed us with his ability to lead people, connect with the club and its supporters, and operate at a very high level day to day. Jim is a proven leader, and we are confident he will be an outstanding chief executive for Rangers.”
Paraag Marathe added: “Jim brings the leadership, judgement and operational capability we were looking for at this stage for the club.
“This club already has a strong and aligned leadership group, and Jim is joining it as an important addition. We are delighted to welcome Jim and look forward to working closely with him as we move Rangers forward together.”
Gillespie said: “Rangers Football Club is a historic institution, and it’s an honour to be asked to contribute to its leadership.
“I’m thankful to the owners and the board for their confidence, and I look forward to working closely with them, the staff and all those associated with Rangers. The focus now is on delivery — setting clear standards and ensuring the organisation is aligned behind sustainable success on the pitch.”
Photo Credit: St MIrren FC