Oxford United have announced major changes to their board, including hiring new directors whilst a new chairman has also been unveiled, as seen on the club’s official website.
The changes see Grant Ferguson, who had been chairman of the board, replaced by Dusan Bogdanovic with Rudi Laksmana and Bogdanovic coming into the board. Ferguson will continue to serve on the board but will no longer serve as the chairman.
Reflecting Oxford’s focus “on strengthening its leadership, governance and long-term planning,” the new appointments bring fresh experience to the club, helping to direct the U’s towards further long-term success.
Bogdanovic has previously served as a football agent whilst Laksmana has previously been a member of the Inter Milan board.
The board is now made up of Anindya Bakrie, Grant Ferguson, Rudi Laksmana, Dusan Bogdanovic and Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth with these five members in charge of helping direct the club forward.
Coming off relegation to League One, Oxford’s upcoming summer transfer window is arguably pivotal in helping the club climb to the Championship once again.
Commenting on the deal, via the BBC website, BBC Radio Oxford’s Oxford United commentator Jerome Sale stated: “Grant Ferguson’s tenure as chairman ends with the team back where it started – in League One – but the club is now closer to realising its longer-term ambitions.
“It now has planning permission for a new stadium that would make it more viable if and when they return to the Championship – they were ahead of schedule when promoted in 2024.
“Like his replacement, the Scot is based in the far East and the new dynamic involving Dusan Bogdanovic will be interesting.
“A Serbian-born sports executive in Indonesia, who played to a decent level in Europe – will he be more hands-on?
“The owner Erick Thohir is clearly paying full attention to the club and that should be a very positive thing, though there will doubtless be some unease inside and outside the club when it comes to change of this sort.
“Also joining the board is Rudi Laksmana who has been associated with United since 2022 when Mr Thohir upped his stake in the club.”
Oxford United will now focus on beginning life back in League One with plans of an automatic return to the Championship starting to take shape.
