Statement following Board of Directors meeting

At its regular board meeting held on Monday, the Board has approved the budget for the 2015/16 season, which will be submitted for final approval by the members at the next Assembly of Delegates, which is scheduled for the weekend of 24 and 25 October.

The budget for the 2015/16 season forecasts record revenues of 633 million euros, while EBITDA will exceed 120 million euros and a net profit of 20.2 million euros

As part of the restructuring process that President Josep Maria Bartomeu has been implementing in recent weeks, the Board of Directors, following a meeting this afternoon, has decided to regroup all of the Club’s business areas in order to optimize their efforts and strategies. In this regard, a macro-level business department is to be set up, led by a new commercial manager, who will be working to promote FC Barcelona’s Sales Units; the Asian and American Offices in Hong Kong and New York; the Exploitation of the Stadium and Facilities, Marketing and Strategy; Audiovisual Media and E-Commerce; Licenses and Merchandising; and the Football and Basketball Schools and Camps.

Francesco Calvo, new commercial director

FC Barcelona’s new commercial director will be Francesco Calvo, who until a few days ago was Sales Manager at Juventus FC. He is Italian and has academic qualifications in Business Administration specializing in strategic marketing, and will join the Club on October 1. Calvo worked for many years at the prestigious Italian club, where he has gathered in-depth knowledge of the football business, the generation of income and sponsorship deals.

As his responsibilities increased, Calvo was put in charge of the Juventus’ commercial plans and strategies, generation of income, financial sustainability, licenses and the implementation and development of new digital platforms. Calvo has also held managerial positions at Philip Morris International and Marlboro Motorsports Global Communication, and his representation of these companies led to his involvement in the business side of such events as the World F1 Championship and Moto GP.

Arno Trabesinger, new manager of the American Office in New York

Also on October 1, a new manager will be taking over at FC Barcelona’s American offices in New York. Arno Trabesinger was, until now, the managing director of the international sponsorship agency WWP for the Iberian Peninsula, based in Barcelona, and which specializes in sports marketing.

His university studies were focused on communication science, political science and journalism. Trabesinger has a strong background of involvement in major marketing projects and his experience has served in such business areas as the World Skiing Championship, the World F1 Championship, Moto GP and the European football market, where he has worked for such companies as Bwin, Audi, Red Bull, Seat, Repsol, Western Union and BMW. An Austrian national, his areas of expertise are strategic planning, the implementation of business projects, human resources and the administration of sales offices.

Pancho Schröder, new director of Corporate Area

Another approved addition to the Board of Directors is the creation of a Corporate Area which will be responsible for Administration, Human Resources, Systems, Innovation, Purchasing and Operations. Leading this new area will be Pancho Schröder as the new corporate director.

Born in Germany and with an MBA from IESE Barcelona & Tucck School, Schröder was CFO of Catalan company Agora Invest from 2014. He was previously CFO of Grup Electro-Stocks (2007-2014) and of Dogi International Fabrics (2001-2007). In his career, he has also passed through RBA Editores, Derbi and General Motors

Travel for members and supporters clubs

The implementation of the proposed travel of members and supporters with the first team, one of the commitments made by the current Board of Directors during the election campaign for the presidency of the club, has also been agreed. Offers for upcoming trips will soon be announced.

Campaign in favour of refugees

The Board has approved the launch of a charity project to help refugees, of which the media will be informed in the coming days.

The University of FC Barcelona

The Board has commissioned director Jordi Monés to begin to develop a proposal on what the future of University of FC Barcelona should be.

Duties of the directors of the Social Area

The club has assigned the duties that correspond to each of the directors of the Social Area: Pau Vilanova, Barça Players Association and Clubs; Oriol Tomàs, Youth Commission; Maria Teixidor, Children and Elderly; Emili Rousaud, Social Clubs; and Joan Bladé and Josep Ramon Vidal-Abarca who form part of the Social Area.

Appointment of members of the Social Committee

Josep Maria Barnils, chief director; Jordi Durà, Santi Casas, Víctor Küppers, Jaume Carreter, Òscar Cerreon, Ferran Hernández, Roser Tiana and Santi Cruylles.

Appointment of members of the Supporters Club Committee

Dani Sala, Manel Costa, Xavi Ilincheta, Griselda Soteras, Elvira Pou, Manel Torrentallé and Cerni Areny.