JOHN Jackson has stepped down as Burton Albion Community Trust Chairman but is taking up a new role as Burton Albion’s Honorary President.
John received a Special Recognition Award from the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire Ian Dudson at the trust’s annual Star Awards last night and was thanked by Chairman Ben Robinson for his service to the club’s charity.
Ben said: “When it comes to being a great organisation that has to start at the top and BACT has been lucky to have an inspirational figure at the helm.
“He has led the Board of Trustees with confidence, enthusiasm, and professionalism at all times.
“His support and advice has been there whenever needed and he’s a calm and assured guiding hand which has been even more important during the pandemic.
“He is well known and respected in the community, and we are immensely proud of the achievements made by the trust under his leadership.
“We are sorry to see him stepping down as Chairman but delighted that we won’t be losing him completely as he has graciously accepted a new role as Honorary President of Burton Albion FC.
John was appointed as the trust’s first independent Chairman in 2015 and he has overseen the growth and increasing impact of BACT during the last seven years.
During his time as BACT Chairman, Burton Albion has twice been named Midlands Community Club of the Year – in 2015/16 and 2016/17.
Employing and nurturing the right people has always been a key aspect for BACT and this was recognised in 2017 when the charity was named the Burton Mail Employer of the Year, which was further acknowledged with Investors in People Gold recognition in 2020.
John was instrumental in bringing a royal visit to BACT in 2018, when HRH the Duke of Gloucester came to the Pirelli Stadium.
Under John’s guidance BACT received the Burton Civic Society Olga Lloyd Award for positive impact on opportunities for young people through sporting activity in 2019.
And perhaps most importantly John has overseen BACT’s pandemic response with the Pirelli Stadium becoming a Covid-19 Vaccination Centre from December 2020.
John said: “I’m very fortunate to have had a career that has taken me to many interesting places but the thing that I have enjoyed most has been establishing the community trust and getting it working like a well-oiled machine. It was an absorbing thing to do and the most rewarding. I’m openly very proud of that.
“The growth factor in the number and range of activities was unthinkable a few years ago and there will be more opportunities in the future especially in health and mental wellbeing. The way the trust has embedded itself in the community is astonishing really.
“One of the essential things for me was making sure all the staff were happy and they are very content and very brilliant. Each and every one of them comes into work on a daily basis and gives their very best. When that happens, good things are achieved.”
John is now looking forward to his new role
“It’s something I never dreamed of, and I will approach it like I do everything else, to do my best and to project a great image of the organisation.”
Phil Pusey will be taking over as BACT Chairman.
He said: “I have big shoes to fill with John Jackson retiring. But I’m excited to take on this role as I believe in this organisation’s ability to make a difference every day and to make an even bigger impact in the future. The partnerships are wide ranging, strong and productive, with the key relationship being with the football club.”