The Dons Trust has announced that Jane Lonsdale will not stand for re-election in the 2021 DTB elections.
This brings to an end eight years of fantastic service to the DT and the club, Jane having given up endless hours as a volunteer to coordinate a number of working groups.
In the announcement on the Dons Trust website, Jane said: “After a great deal of thought, I have decided not to stand for re-election to the Dons Trust Board this year. By the end of my term I will have served on the board for eight years.
“It has been a real honour to serve on the Dons Trust and PLC boards and, with the stadium complete, the time has come for me to let others pick up the mantle and guide us through the next stage in our history. It is my intention to take a complete break after the AGM and enjoy the football for a while, although I may end up volunteering in another capacity down the line.
“The DTB – and the Club – has come a long way in the last eight years, and I am very proud of everything that has been achieved during my time on the Board.”
Jane, who was awarded an MBE in 2019 for her contribution to public service and volunteering, has worked alongside 27 different DTB members, and has seen working groups come and go.
She added: ”It has been fantastic in the last few weeks, seeing the stadium finally opening, getting the safety certificates and seeing fans and members’ joy when they come to the ground for the first time. One of my very first DTB meetings was discussing plans for a stadium – on a site and preparing for the Merton public hearing.
“The Dons Trust and its Board has evolved during the last eight years , and I’d like to thank all the Dons Trust Board members, club staff and volunteers who I have had the pleasure of working with and who have supported me and the events I have run. Without them it would just not be possible to achieve the things we have.”
Xavier Wiggins, Co-Chair of the Dons Trust Board, said: “I’d like to thank Jane, on behalf of the Trust, for her tireless work on the Dons Trust Board over the last eight years, and over the course of the time I have been co-chairing with her, in particular.
“Jane has worked on countless projects – from Diversity & Inclusion to Junior Dons and a whole lot in between. Eight years is a great innings I am sure that without Jane’s admirable drive and determination we would not be where we are today as club owners. I would also like to extend my personal thanks to Jane for the selfless support she extended to me as a new Board member.”
Jane will continue in her duties in full until the elections, including continuing to co-chair the board and chairing the working groups relating to D&I and Junior Dons.
Jane and Tim Hillyer will be hosting the next Meet The DTB event on September 9 from 7pm, with further details to follow on the Dons Trust website .
Ed Leek has also advised that he will not be restanding for election. With Graham Stacey, Tim Hillyer and Niall Cooper’s terms all coming to an end, there will be five spaces on the Dons Trust Board to be filled at the upcoming elections, and more information can be found by reading this article .
The DT is encouraging anyone who feels they have something to offer the board to consider standing for election. Full details will be available on the Dons Trust website shortly and you can contact elections@thedonstrust.org for more information.