Update from the Returning Officer in the Election (Graeme Cowie)
Yesterday evening was the deadline for nominations in TJF’s 2026 director elections.
With several current board members standing down at the end of their terms, there were four vacancies to be filled, each to serve until the 2028 AGM.
Four nominations were received, from:
Their candidate profiles can be read towards the end of this update.
All candidates elected
As the number of candidates is equal to the number of vacancies, and the vacancies are all for two-year terms, the election is, on this occasion, uncontested, and there will therefore be no members ballot to distinguish between the candidates.
All four candidates have, today, confirmed their willingness to serve on TJF’s board, and we are looking forward to working closely with them when they formally join the leadership team at our AGM on Wednesday 10th June.
Uncontested election
This is the first time that a TJF election has been uncontested, and we acknowledge this means there is less of an opportunity for members, through the election voting process itself, to shape the future direction of the Foundation.
We are grateful that Connor, Isabelle, Len and Scott have all put themselves forward to represent our 1,900+ strong red and yellow army, and we hope that future elections will be contested.
It is hoped that our proposed switch to two-year terms, instead of three-year terms, will make the prospect of becoming a TJF director more appealing to those with other competing commitments.
Shaping your membership organisation
As members of TJF you also still have an important opportunity to shape your organisation through the AGM and other votes.
On 10th June we will decide on our financial pledges for the 2026-27 season as well as a motion on streamlining the bodies that are part of Thistle’s fan ownership model. You can also submit questions ahead of the AGM and make contributions from the floor.
There are also ways you can get involved in the Club and TJF without having to become a member of a board. Volunteers are the lifeblood of our Club and there are opportunities to help us with fundraising, member events and much more besides.
If this appeals to you, or you’ve got an idea you’d like to explore with us, please get in touch.
Connor Drummond
21 years old, Glasgow born, Dunoon based, Thistle obsessed lad who spends an eye watering amount of his wages following his team.
Coming from a family of football fans, I couldn’t be any prouder to be a Thistle fan, a truly unique experience that only the chosen few have the privilege to enjoy, but I plan to have more board the red and yellow roller-coaster if elected.
My priority is fan engagement and growth, which I am already working to grow through my Instagram account: @onlythistle
I believe our club has massive potential and seeing the growth in our support and fan culture over the last few seasons has motivated me to put myself forward for the TJF Board.
I think the board would benefit from having a younger person to bridge the gap between generations of supporters, as well as between supporters and the club, as we all want the club to be as successful and engaging as possible.
I want to work closely with all supporters. If this is your first season at Firhill or your fiftieth, I want to be your voice, using fan ownership to mould this club into what we all want it to be!
Isabelle Hay
I am a life long Thistle fan, and current season ticket holder and TJF member.
Over the past two years I have been collaborating with Alistair Gray to develop a Glasgow University Jags supporters group. This venture was successful with the foundation of GUPTSS.
In addition I was able to liaise with the stadium manager to invite the TGA Pipeband for an inaugural half time entertainment at a recent home game which was well received.
The club appears to be gaining momentum to regain Premiership status. I believe I can be a valuable part of a new TJF team, to promote Thistle and grow their fan base.
My background is in healthcare. I have recently retired from the Scottish NHS in the capacity as a consultant.
I have experience in organising National and International conferences which involves leadership, communication skills, delivering lectures, and negotiation with financial promoters.
I would be honoured to be part of the TJF team to continue their excellent work in promoting Thistle as a fan owned club.
Len Hoover
I think I will bring a useful mix of business knowledge, management, leadership, and collaboration to the TJF/fan ownership table.
By day, I manage the University Applications team at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, where, in addition to working on contracts and renewals for a multi-million dollar software portfolio, I provide leadership, direction, and guidance to a team of software analysts and data analysts who support future doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals.
My role requires me to work directly with IT stakeholders and university leadership, so I’m very comfortable and accustomed to working with different stakeholders having different points of view and different positions within an organisation.
Since standing for the special election earlier this year (and losing handily, to be fair!), I’ve completed my master’s in business administration from the University of Illinois, capping a 2.5-year effort to build my knowledge of financials, data analytics, mergers/acquisitions, operations management, and other business topics.
I’m really just looking to make a difference in our club, and I think TJF is the best vehicle for me to accomplish that. I think I have the right background and education to contribute, and I look forward to collaborating!
Scott McKenzie
I became a Jag in my early teens, taking a different path from my Rangers-supporting friends and family! Having spent many years living in London and Edinburgh I returned to Glasgow ten years ago and have been a season ticket holder ever since.
My own background is in finance, where I was a fund manager for over thirty years, working in the financial markets. I’m therefore used to dealing with uncertainty and stuff going wrong when you least expect it. I have a long experience of investing in and advising a wide array of different businesses and I hope these skills can help TJF.
I love the unique culture of PTFC and how the fans and the team bond together and support each other through thick and thin. I’m a contrarian by nature and feel naturally drawn to the underdog – essential qualities for a Thistle fan. I believe that people who think differently are the people who ultimately change the world. Action beats words.
As a fan-owned club with very limited resources it’s important that we face our various challenges in an innovative way. I hope to help TJF in making a real contribution to the long term success of Partick Thistle.