Jason Ayto, Ross Wilson advance in Newcastle sporting director hiring process
No final decision has been made, but Ayto, the former Arsenal interim sporting director, and Wilson, Nottingham Forest's chief football officer, have advanced through a process which has been expedited due to Paul Mitchell's exit.
Advertisement
Mitchell left the club on Monday after less than a year in the role, while Darren Eales, Newcastle's CEO, is serving his notice after being diagnosed with blood cancer. Newcastle are in the final stages of appointing a new chief executive, with former Real Madrid executive David Hopkinson among the leading contenders.
Before Mitchell departed, interim responsibility for overseeing transfer deals transitioned to Andy Howe — the assistant head of recruitment and the nephew of Eddie Howe, the head coach — and Steve Nickson, the head of recruitment. The pair are working collaboratively to try and sign players from an Eddie Howe-led transfer list of targets, but Newcastle are yet to unveil a senior addition this summer, having missed out on Brighton & Hove Albion's Joao Pedro to Chelsea and with Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo specifying a preference to join Manchester United instead.
With the sporting director having already left and Eales to follow, Newcastle lack a stable senior executive structure and are in a state of flux off the field for a second successive summer.
Amanda Staveley departed as co-owner last July and the appointment of Mitchell followed, which initially unsettled Howe. Whereas Howe was not informed of Mitchell's arrival until 24 hours before, the head coach has been made aware of developments at certain stages of the process this time.
Ideally, Newcastle would prefer to bring in a chief executive before a sporting director but, should they decide upon the right candidate for the latter, those appointments could be reversed.
Ayto and Wilson are certainly prominent among the owners' thoughts, having reached the latter stages.
A former scout, Ayto had been with Arsenal for a decade and rose through the ranks to become assistant sporting director under Edu, leading an overhaul and modernisation of the club's recruitment department. When the Brazilian left Arsenal in November 2024, Ayto stepped up to become interim sporting director until the appointment of Andrea Berta. He left the club voluntarily at the end of last season.
Advertisement
Wilson has worked in senior positions at Southampton, Huddersfield Town, Watford, Falkirk and Rangers, who won their first league title for a decade during his tenure, and reached the Europa League final, before joining Forest in April 2023.
Last year, before Mitchell was appointed, then-Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman and current Southampton sporting director Johannes Spors reached the final two for the post at Newcastle. Freedman was subsequently offered the job, but turned Newcastle down, eventually leading to Mitchell's arrival.
Newcastle declined to comment on the present ongoing process for hiring a sporting director.
(Top photos: Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images, Craig Foy / SNS Group via Getty Images)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Government asks body to consult on axing ‘discriminatory' minimum wage age bands
The Government has said it is pushing forward with plans to look at removing 'discriminatory' age bands for the national minimum wage as it extended the remit of the Low Pay Commission (LPC). It said the advisory body will consult with employers, trade unions and workers on narrowing the gap between the minimum wage rate for 18 to 20-year-olds, and the so-called national living wage – the UK minimum wage for workers 21 years and older. The LPC will also be required to put forward 'recommendations on achieving a single adult rate in the years ahead'. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: 'To ensure the right balance is struck between the needs of workers, business affordability and the wider economy, the LPC is being asked to consult on several issues before recommending the new rates.' Last year, Labour committed to removing these age bands to create a 'genuine' national living wage, as part of efforts to bolster employment rights. Currently, the national living wage for workers aged 21 and older is £12.21. Meanwhile, the minimum wage for workers aged between 18 and 20 is £10. There is also a minimum wage for those aged under 18, and apprentices, of £7.55. The Government said the change to the LPC remit will also ensure it actively considers the cost of living in its recommendations for changes to the minimum wage which are next applied from April 2026. The LPC, which was founded in 1997, provides recommendations to the Government each October regarding how it believes the minimum wage should be changed. The Government ultimately sets minimum wage rates for the following April after this advice. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: 'Low pay drags down living standards for our workers and in turn hurts our high streets and local businesses. 'This Government's plan for change will put money back in people's pockets, with this new remit marking the next step in considering how we ensure a fair deal for our lowest-paid workers while maintaining a competitive economy that boosts businesses and their employees alike.' Baroness Philippa Stroud, chairwoman of the LPC, said: 'We are pleased to receive our remit from the Government. 'Already, since the beginning of the year, we have spent significant time speaking with workers and employers to understand the pressures in the economy and the effects of the most recent increases in the minimum wage. 'We have held a successful call for evidence and received detailed submissions from all sides.'
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Atos SE (AEXAF) (H1 2025) Earnings Call Highlights: Steady Revenue and Strategic Restructuring ...
Release Date: August 01, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Positive Points Atos SE (AEXAF) reported a stabilization of revenues at approximately $2 billion per quarter, indicating a steady financial performance. The company achieved a 15% organic growth in operating margin compared to the previous year, showcasing improved operational efficiency. Atos SE (AEXAF) successfully renegotiated a significant contract with a German automotive OEM, turning a previously loss-making contract into a profitable one. The restructuring plan, known as Genesis, is progressing well, with expectations to complete two-thirds of the plan by the end of the year. The company has strengthened its governance with the addition of a new board member, enhancing leadership and oversight. Negative Points Atos SE (AEXAF) reported a net income group share of minus 696 million, indicating significant financial challenges. The company's net debt increased to 1.7 billion, reflecting a higher leverage ratio of 4.0 times. The book-to-bill ratio remains below 100%, raising concerns about future revenue growth and contract renewals. The company incurred reorganization and rationalization charges totaling 379 million, impacting overall profitability. Atos SE (AEXAF) faces ongoing challenges with loss-making contracts, particularly in the UK, which continue to affect cash flow. Q & A Highlights Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Signs with AEXAF. Q: Can you discuss the revenue trajectory for the rest of the year and any specific assumptions regarding demand and seasonality? A: Unidentified_1: We expect Q3 revenues to stabilize around $2 billion, slightly less than previous quarters, with an increase anticipated in Q4. The revenue stabilization is crucial, and we have successfully renewed over 90% of contracts. The pipeline is increasing, indicating potential growth in H2. Q: What are your expectations for free cash flow and restructuring cash outflows for the second half of the year? A: Unidentified_2: We aim to maintain cash in advance at similar levels to last year, around the 300 million mark, despite not actively seeking advance payments. Restructuring cash outflows will accelerate, with most restructuring expected to be completed by summer 2026. Q: Do you expect a significant improvement in your book-to-bill ratio in H2, and how confident are you in achieving organic growth next year? A: Unidentified_1: We anticipate the book-to-bill ratio to exceed 80% and aim for around 100% by Q4. The pipeline is increasing, and we are confident in achieving organic growth next year, supported by a strong restructuring plan that will enhance profitability regardless of top-line growth. Q: Can you provide details on the renewed contract in the automotive sector and its impact on revenue and profit? A: Unidentified_1: The renewed contract with a German OEM was previously at a negative margin. We have renegotiated it to a positive margin of around 10%, improving both revenue and profitability. This reflects our strategy to address loss-making contracts. Q: Are there any expected cash outflows related to litigation or loss-making contracts in the future? A: Unidentified_1: We do not anticipate significant cash outflows from litigation in H2. For loss-making contracts, we are actively working to reduce cash outflows, with one major contract expected to stop bleeding next year, and another being negotiated for termination. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
What we know about electric car grants worth £1,500 as first eligible EV models confirmed
The government has unveiled a series of Citroen models eligible under the government's new £650 million electric car grants scheme. The first electric car models eligible for the government's new £650 million electric car grants have been announced. Drivers will be able to save £1,500 with the purchase of new Citroen e-C3, e-C4, e-C5 and e-Berlingo cars, the Department for Transport (DfT) said. The discount will be automatically applied at the point of sale, and will enable motorists purchasing a new electric car to save either £1,500 or £3,750, depending on sustainability criteria. The government's vow to make it cheaper to buy an electric car comes as part of its goal of banning the sale of new fully petrol or diesel cars and vans from 2030. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'With the first four models approved today, and more to come over the next few weeks, this summer we're making owning an electric car cheaper, easier and a reality for thousands more people across the UK." Under the government's zero emission vehicle (Zev) mandate, at least 28% of new cars sold by each manufacturer in the UK this year must be zero emission, which generally means pure electric. Across all manufacturers, the figure during the first half of the year was 21.6%. Alexander has already announced £63m worth of funding to boost charging infrastructure, including £25m of support for local authorities to provide at-home charging for motorists who don't have driveways. Another £8m will be spent on powering electric ambulances and medical fleets across 200 sites within the NHS, while road signs for EV charging hubs will be introduced on major A-roads in England. What do we know about the new subsidies for EV drivers? The grants will be funded through a new £650m scheme announced on 14 July, which will be restricted to vehicles priced up to £37,000. The Department for Transport (DfT) said at the time that 23 new models were available for less than £30,000. Amounts given will be based on a car's 'sustainability criteria', the DfT said, with the greenest vehicles placed in band one, meaning a grant of up to £3,750. Band two vehicles will receive up to £1,500. Edmund King, AA president, said: 'This discount of £1,500 for some more affordable EVs will help a number of those with tighter budgets. We look forward to seeing the full list of discounts up to £3,750 on more models to really push the market forward.' Ian Plummer, commercial director of online vehicle marketplace Auto Trader, previously said 'any incentives' to help people buy an electric car are welcome as many drivers are 'put off by the high upfront cost'. Prior to the government's announcement, The Telegraph reported that the grants would provide a huge boost for Nissan, which has a plant in Sunderland, but would be unlikely to help Tesla, whose cars are generally beyond the scheme's price range. How many people are buying EVs? In the first half of this year, electric car sales in the UK increased by a third, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMTT) lobby group. Sales of battery electric cars rose by 34.6% to 224,838 vehicles between the start of January and the end of June. Of the 191,200 cars sold in the UK in June, a quarter (almost 47,400) were electric vehicles. The government wants to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 onwards, although hybrids can be sold until 2035. It says all new cars and vans will have to be 100% zero emission by 2035. How much more expensive are electric cars to buy? The average cost to buy an electric car in the UK is currently about £46,000, according to financial researchers NimbleFins, although it says that prices range from £14,995 (for a Dacia Spring Electric) to as much as £330,000 for a Rolls-Royce Spectre. Among luxury electric brands such as Tesla, Porsche, Audi, Jaguar and Mercedes, the average cost is about £69,000, while a non-luxury EV is about £33,000 on average. NimbleFins said the cost of an average small car is about £22,000, rising to £27,000 for a medium-sized car and £35,000 for an SUV, inclusive of petrol and electric models. The Electric Car Scheme says the average petrol car costs £21,964, compared to about £49,000 for an EV. How much do electric vehicles cost to run? The average cost of running a car in the UK is £3,357, according to NimbleFins. This includes fuel, car insurance, repairs, road tax and the purchase or depreciation per year. It said that despite electricity prices currently being high, fuel costs much less with an EV than a petrol or diesel engine. The average cost for a mile of driving is about 7p on a standard electricity tariff or as low as 2p per mile on a time of use EV tariff, charging the vehicle at off-peak times, such as during the night. For a petrol or diesel car, NimbleFins says the cost of fuel per mile can be anything between 13p and 17p. The Electric Car Scheme says drivers of EVs can save up to £1,500 per year over 10,000 miles in fuel costs than with a petrol or diesel. Read more Major problem with plan to let EV drivers charge outside their homes (BristolLive) China's electric car revolution hammers demand for oil (The Telegraph) Volkswagen reports electric vehicles sales surge in 2025 (DW)
