FOREST Green Rover have appointed a new chief executive and vice chairman.

Helen Taylor is the new chief executive, appointed ahead of Forest Green's first season in the Football League.

Taylor becomes one of the few women CEOs in football, alongside leaders including Karen Brady at West Ham.

Her newly created position will see her work closely with chairman Dale Vince. She has worked as an ambassador for Vince’s Ecotricity business and for the football club since 2010.

Taylor said: “This is a fantastic opportunity. We’re really looking forward to becoming a greater part of the local community, welcoming people from Gloucestershire and beyond to experience a game at the club.”

Forest Green Rovers have also announced Phil Butterworth as its new vice chairman, replacing David Drew, who was recently elected as Labour MP for Stroud.

Butterworth has been an avid supporter of the club for twenty years and created its Ambassador Scheme – working with more than forty schools in the South Gloucestershire region. Butterworth’s career in education saw him work as a teacher, head teacher, advisor, assessor and tutor at schools across the county.

Butterworth said: “I look forward to working closely with Helen Taylor and the team at the club. “I have watched the transformation of my club in recent years, so it’s an exciting time to become more involved.

“I applaud Dale’s vision and respect the values on which the club is underpinned. The next steps for the club will be another huge challenge – life in the Football League – and then we have the proposed stadium at Eco Park which will make us unique in so many ways.”

Vince added: “I’m really excited that Helen has taken on the chief executive role – we’ve worked together since 2010 and is ideally placed to help us evolve and grow as a football league club.

“Phil Butterworth was also the perfect candidate to take on the important role of vice chairman following David Drew’s election to parliament.

"Phil has done a great job in building our school’s ambassador program and has contributed greatly to the club over the years. I look forward to working with them both.”