Heart of Midlothian FC today announces that Ann Park, Director of Community & Partnerships, will retire from the Club on 31 January, bringing to a close 12 incredible years of service at Tynecastle Park.
Since joining Hearts in 2014, Ann has played a pivotal role in the Club’s transformation. She worked with Ann Budge to help restore stability, rebuild trust and establish vital commercial and sponsorship relationships that underpin the Club today. Her experience in the third sector also played a part in restoring the fortunes of Big Hearts.
A proud champion of the Foundation of Hearts and fan ownership, Ann has helped shape the values-led approach to partnerships that sets Hearts apart. Her unwavering belief that the Club should work with organisations aligned to its community and supporters inspired a new generation of sponsors motivated by corporate social responsibility and brought in vital philanthropic funding. Ann played a huge part in building enduring partnerships with Baillie Gifford, Dell Technologies and Stellar Omada, creating a powerful platform for long-term success.
Ann’s passion for using football as a force for good has been central to everything she has done. Along with her teams in Hearts Heritage, Community Football and the Heart of Midlothian Innovation Centre, she has helped change lives, break down barriers to participation and learning and create opportunities for thousands of young people across a range of backgrounds. This approach has attracted millions of pounds in support from benefactors and sponsors who share Hearts’ values.
Her many highlights include pioneering shirt sponsorships in support of Save the Children and MND Scotland, the growth of the Innovation Centre delivering free digital education to young people, achieving long-term backing for the Capital Cup between Hearts Women and Hibs Women, securing major National Lottery Heritage Fund support for the Maroon Mile, and inspiring countless people to improve their physical and mental wellbeing through Community Football programmes. Ann also collaborated with Bruce Strachan and Paul Beeson to bring a series of historical plays to Tynecastle Park including the hugely successful War of Two Halves.
She took particular pride in conceiving, leading and delivering a major programme of events to celebrate Hearts’ 150th anniversary, including a spectacular procession where 150 pipers and drummers led over 4,000 supporters from the Hearts’ monument at Haymarket up the Maroon Mile to Tynecastle Park.
Her outstanding contribution across so many areas of the business leaves a proud legacy of a Club stronger, more inclusive and more deeply connected to its community.
Everyone at Hearts thanks Ann for her incredible contribution and wishes her a long, happy and very well-deserved retirement.
