James Blair has left his role as company secretary of Rangers International Football Club plc as the Ibrox board continue their off-field restructuring.
Blair was appointed to the board shortly after regime change in March 2015 and was a notable figure behind the scenes in the years that followed Dave King, John Gilligan and Paul Murray seizing control of the club at the end of a lengthy power battle.
The corporate solicitor – who had more than three decades of experience in his field - was group counsel and company secretary to all of the companies within RIFC plc.
His profile page on the official club website states that Blair has ‘acted in the funding, sale and purchase of businesses throughout the UK and Europe' and that he is the fifth generation of his family to support Rangers.
The departure of Blair comes after a series of significant changes at boardroom and executive level following John Bennett’s appointment as chairman earlier this year.
Bennett succeeded Douglas Park in the role and oversaw an overhaul at Ibrox as Stewart Robertson left his position as managing director and Ross Wilson quit as sporting director to join Nottingham Forest.
James Bisgrove was promoted from his berth as head of the commercial department to become chief executive officer and has been at the forefront of the recruitment drive for boss Michael Beale this summer.
Andrew Dickson - who has been replaced by Creag Robertson on the executive team - and finance director Kenny Barclay also left their positions as Bennett and Bisgrove put their stamp on the corridors of power at Ibrox.
James Taylor has been appointed as chief finance officer, while Karim Virani filled Bisgrove's shoes after being named as chief commercial officer.
Rangers confirmed last week that American investor John Halsted had been appointed to the RIFC plc board to join Bennett, Julian Woldhart, Alastair Johnston, George Taylor and Graeme Park.
Halsted became involved with the club through Perron Investments, LLC two years ago and chairman Bennett said: “As well as being a consistent investor in the club over recent years, John has provided valuable insight and support to the RIFC Board and the executive management team.
“We look forward to benefiting yet further from his strong business acumen.”
