Hearts’ financial director, Jacqui Duncan, is set to step down and retire at the end of the season.
The experienced board member has been at the club since 2014 and has been credited with “playing an instrumental part” in ensuring the finances have remained stable.
It was confirmed by the club earlier this evening that Duncan will transition into a part-time role at the turn of the new year before retiring at the end of the campaign in 2025.
The Jambos’ statement read: “Heart of Midlothian can confirm that Finance Director and Board member Jacqui Duncan is to retire at the end of the season.
Jacqui Duncan will step down at the end of the season
“The long-standing member of staff will transition into a part-time role at the beginning of 2025 before stepping down from both of her roles at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
“Jacqui joined the club in 2014 and played an instrumental part in rescuing the club’s finances, implementing processes and controls that would not only ensure financial stability but also provide a platform for the club to return to the thriving operation that it is today.”
Hearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay offered his thanks to Duncan for his role over the course of the last decade and expressed his regret to see her retire.
The 54-year-old did, however, reveal that the club have already begun a recruitment process as they aim to have the replacement in the door for when the time comes.
Hearts are looking to recruit Jacqui Duncan’s replacement
“Jacqui has been integral to the club’s post-administration renaissance,” McKinlay told the club’s official website.
“She has served Hearts with complete distinction, and while she will undoubtedly be missed, I completely understand her decision to put herself and her family first at this time of her life.
“A recruitment process is already underway in order to establish a smooth handover, but for the next nine months we will continue to reap the benefits of Jacqui’s talents as she continues her roles until the end of the season.”
It comes as Hearts continue to discuss using Tony Bloom’s analytics company with the businessman hoping to broker a deal to see him invest cash into the Gorgie outfit while also allowing the club usage of his data companies when it comes to player and manager recruitment as well as opposition analysis.
CEO McKinlay has repeatedly refuted suggestions that Hearts could potentially become a feeder for Bloom’s other club, Brighton, in the Premier League.