Opinion / Editorial
By Shawn Patton
I believe finding the very best candidate for the vacant PSA CEO role is the most vital, pressing and important issue facing our sport since the vote for inclusion into the Olympics.
Much could be written (and will be written and posted on Squash360) concerning the challenges facing the PSA and the actions and (in)effectiveness of the Gawain Briars administration. Indeed many professional players, Board members, promoters and other squash stakeholders have questions, concerns, complaints and long held frustrations concerning Tour contracts, marketing and management over the years. Mr. Briars was a lightning rod for this dissent and for many the source, explanation, scapegoat of the problems and THE obstacle to resolving issues and obtaining information. But is this one man totally responsible and is his 'retirement' the solution to all that ails the PSA?
Despite the questions over the years, what was done? What actions taken? What has changed?
The questions are many, the answers few
Gawain Briars' Contract
What were the terms of Gawain's employment contract? How long was term of the contract? Who drafted the contract? Who negotiated the contract? What measures/terms were included in the contract to provide flexibility to terminate the contract or resolve disputes? Was independent legal counsel obtained to draft the contract and review the offer/terms? Was a copy of the signed contract available for independent review? Was a Board vote conducted to approve the contract? Who were the sitting Board members during the contract negotiations and Mr. Briars tenure? What role did they play and what responsibility should they bear? What lessons have been learned? What new processes, procedures and safeguards have been implemented to avoid the same mistakes being repeated?
Current Search for New CEO
Does anyone else feel that a token search is being conducted to fill this most vital role? Are the actions to date of the Board and acting CEO of the PSA demonstrating a genuine, diligent and professional desire to find the very best candidate possible? Are these individuals qualified in Human Resources/Executive Recruitment to conduct the wide ranging and comprehensive search, evaluation and selection befitting the needs of an international organization such as the PSA and to fill the role of CEO?
The vacancy was officially announced March 26 and as things currently stand, applications close April 30th. What efforts beyond releases on squash websites have been initiated to publicize with maximum effect the CEO opportunity to the international business and sport management community? What ads have been placed? In which newspapers? What low cost, high impact employment websites have been used? Has the position opening been e-mailed to executive search firms? In what countries? Might the PSA and its members be better served to hire an International Executive Recruitment firm to undertake this most important function? Could or should other stakeholders (ie. promoters, retired players, esteemed squash figures) play a role in ensuring transparency and that a professional and rigorous executive search, selection and evaluation process is undertaken?
Given the vitally important nature of the role, limited efforts to date, shouldn't the deadline for applications be extended? Shouldn't the perceived bias for a UK based executive be revisited to broaden the search and find the strongest candidate possible? Should a non-UK Executive Search firm be considered to avoid the perception of pre-ordaining the candidate search and to demonstrate a genuine international CEO search and non-UK bias and to draw upon a wider network of potential candidates? Wasn't Mercer a sponsor of the Windy City Open in the past?
Must the CEO be based in the UK to be effective? Has a UK address for the PSA CEO or office caused the PSA to be more effective in managing the tour or in attracting new corporate partners or diversity of CEO candidates in the past or currently?
Are there current members of the Board with aspirations for the CEO role? Might these designs for the top job explain the process, modest efforts to date to publicize the vacancy? If these individuals are interested in the position, was it appropriate for them to participate and influence the search criteria, process and methods to date? Does this reflect on their judgment, ethics and suitability for the CEO role?
Will the pro players continue their apathy and unproductive bitching over beers or will they speak-up and expect more of their elected Board members? Will current players, former players, elder statesmen, promoters and other squash stakeholders speak-up and express their ideas, concerns and hopes for the PSA, squash and relating to the CEO search process and selection?
Briars is gone, but the match is not yet won.
What do you think?
Add a comment below or send me or the PSA an e-mail.
Shawn Patton, Publisher
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Ted Wallbutton, Interim CEO www.psa-squash.com
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Maybe there needs to be a squash players association seperate from PSA.