---
title: "Hollis gives his thoughts on Fox’s departure and more"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2016/03/18/hollis-gives-thoughts-foxs-departure/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ed Payne"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2016-03-18T12:51:59Z"
modified: "2016-03-18T12:52:45Z"
---

# Hollis gives his thoughts on Fox’s departure and more

Recently installed chairman, Steve Hollis, gave his thoughts on Villa’s current predicament, as well as the departure of Tom Fox and more in an interview with the [club’s website](https://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~5429019,00.html).

Hollis, who was brought in as Villa chairman by Randy Lerner in mid-January, previously worked for auditing firm KPMG.

Since being appointed by Lerner in January, he has led a continuing overhaul of Villa’s heirachy, with Robin Russell and Tom Fox having left their roles as directors, whilst former Bank of England governor and lifelong Aston Villa fan Mervyn King was appointed to the board, along with former chairman of the FA, David Bernstein. He was also responsible for appointing Villa legend Brian Little as an advisor the board.

In his interview with the club website, Hollis first talked about the departure of chief executive Tom Fox, saying:

> “Tom said himself in the press release that the decision was made based on the model that is now changing.
>
> “The model that Tom led has changed as we’ve built a new Board.
>
> “Tom came to the decision that actually that model wasn’t something he wanted to work with. So he decided to step down.”

![Matthew Lewis/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readastonvilla.com/readastonvilla/2016/03/468803848.jpg)

He also talked about the recent appointment of David Bernstein to the board, saying:

> “I didn’t know David before. I met him and explained the journey the Board was on and he said ‘look I want to be part of it.
>
> “It took about half an hour over a pleasant lunch. Now David is fully engaged.
>
> “If you look at David’s history, he has a distinguished business career.
>
> “He ran Man City for several years. He has had a career with the FA.”

He was also full of praise for Mervyn King, saying:

> “We have one of the planet’s leading bankers who knows everything about Villa. He’s a Villa nut!
>
> “I have seen him chat with the players and talk through moves and goals from the past.
>
> “They look at this gentleman with a suit and he just commands their respect.
>
> “He’s a great addition to the Club and Board.”

![Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readastonvilla.com/readastonvilla/2016/03/502499672.jpg)

Finally, he gave his thoughts on the plan for Villa going forward.

He said:

> “The plan is that whatever division we’re in next season, we will have a much better decision-making machine.
>
> “If we are in the Championship we will be one of the biggest clubs in the Championship. We will certainly have the strongest balance sheet in the Championship.
>
> “We will be in the best position to actually, as I have said before, use that as the opportunity to rebuild.
>
> “We will have the best chance of actually bouncing back if we make the right decisions.
>
> “If we are still in the Premier League there is a plan that addresses the issues so hopefully we don’t go through another round of bouncing around at the bottom next season.”

Have you been impressed with Hollis’ work so far?