Lifelong fan and former Civil Servant joins City Board
NEW Norwich City Director Thomas Smith is eager to combine career experience and a long-held affection for the Canaries in his latest role.
Tom, the nephew of majority shareholders Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones, brings a wealth of knowledge to the Canaries boardroom having spent over a decade in the Civil Service both in the UK and abroad.
During that time, he worked in a variety of roles at the Ministry of Defence and the Cabinet Office, in addition to undertaking employment within the Commonwealth Office.
Upon returning to the UK in late 2014, the lifelong City fan left the public sector to launch his own photographic business, ahead of joining the Norwich Board earlier this month.
Speaking to the media following the announcement of his appointment, Tom said: "This is a fantastic Football Club with amazing supporters.
"I’ve been a fan for as long as I can remember so am deeply proud and honoured to be able to give something back. Delia, Michael and myself are very close and one thing that binds us together is our love for Norwich City.
"They are passionate about this Club and the area, and I completely share those ideals. We’ve spent many hours discussing our vision for the Club, which has to be to listen and serve the fans in order to add to the local community.
"Most of my experience is about helping people make decisions, often in tough circumstances with an awful lot at stake," he explained.
"For much of my career this was in military operations, but I have a diversity of experience in a variety of roles. The single strand that runs through all of that however is the ability to inform decision-making in challenging conditions.
"I hope the principles I’ve learned are going to now benefit Norwich City, and that I will be here for many years to come."
City Chairman Ed Balls added: "Tom has been coming to Norwich for many years, and has spent more hours than me in the Directors’ Box.
"He’s a real known quality to the Board, and the Board always has to think several years in advance. The experience Tom brings in strategic planning means he will be a great addition to the Club, while we’re also delighted Stephen Fry will continue with us in the role of Norwich City Ambassador."