Celtic board appointment brings Raymond Buchanan back to where his working life began

Incoming Celtic director Raymond Buchanan has expressed his delight at joining the club’s board as he prepares to return to where his working life on mainland Scotland began.

Buchanan, currently Director of Corporate Affairs at Scottish Water, will become a Celtic non-executive director in the new year after stepping down from his current position.

He will join the board alongside Mark Keane, with the pair filling the vacancies created by the retirements of Peter Lawwell and Tom Allison.

For Buchanan, the appointment represents a return to familiar surroundings after his first job upon moving from the Isle of Barra was working as a waiter in Celtic’s Walfrid Restaurant.

Reacting to his appointment on LinkedIn, Buchanan said: “Delighted to be joining the board of Celtic Football Club next year after I step down from my role as Director of Corporate Affairs at Scottish Water.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Scottish Water, working alongside Alex Plant and other outstanding colleagues as the business delivered record performance and became the UK’s most trusted utility.

“The move also brings me back to where my mainland working life began.

“Back in the 1990s, Celtic was the first place to give a broke student, newly off the boat from the Isle of Barra, a job.

“I worked as a waiter in the Walfrid Restaurant and loved every minute.

“Back then, I could only have dreamed of joining the board of this special club.”

The appointments come as Celtic continue a period of change at boardroom level following the departures of long-serving directors Lawwell and Allison.

Interim chairman Brian Wilson confirmed further board refreshment is planned and believes Buchanan and Keane will bring fresh perspectives to the club.

He said: “I am pleased to confirm that we have appointed two new Non-Executive Directors to fill vacancies created by the retirements of Peter Lawwell and Tom Allison. This process of board refreshment will continue.

“Our two new directors have excellent credentials, both as lifelong Celtic supporters and highly successful individuals in their professional careers.

“They will bring new ideas and insights to enhance the work of the board, its oversight of the club’s affairs and strengthening of relationships within the whole Celtic Family.”