New director for Athletic

NEW YORK-based businessman Mike Newton has been appointed to Athletic’s board of directors.

The 39-year-old financier trades in interest rates, equities and commodities for a hedge fund based in the Big Apple.

Stoke-on-Trent born, Mr Newton worked for the Bank of England before moving in 2000 to Hong Kong where he worked for HSBC as an economist specialising in Asian markets.

He has also worked for HSBC in New York as managing director of their global emerging currency research project.

Mr Newton became involved with Athletic through his professional relationship with Simon Corney’s cousin Neil, who runs Citigroup’s markets operation in Tel Aviv.

He grew up as a Stoke City fan but was an enthusiastic watcher of the successful Athletic side of the late 1980s and early 90s.

While at King’s College, Cambridge, studying economics, Mr Newton played non-league football for Histon.

Mr Newton’s goal will be to help Athletic through his financial expertise.