Chris Gibson MBE has had quite the career, from climbing the ranks in the armed forces to implementing critical medical infrastructure in the centre of a warzone and an epidemic. Nowadays, he is putting that knowledge and experience to use at Bristol Rovers, where he was named a non-executive director in 2021.
His brief has been to mentor Rovers' key leaders, first-team manager Joey Barton – who first invited Gibson to the club to conduct a behind the scenes review of the Gas as they spiralled out of League One a year ago – and chief executive Tom Gorringe, in hope of making the club's playing and non-playing operations more efficient, aligned and connected. He also sits on the club's board, there to offer a more objective perspective and pose difficult questions.
The result of Gibson's initial review and Gorringe's appointment after Martyn Starnes' departure has been a sweeping change on the business side, with roles redefined and departments restructured, with the goal of leaving the "ragtag Rovers" label in the past. Their work remains in progress but they believe it is bearing fruit.
