Dunfermline have announced that chairman Bob Garmory is stepping down and will be replaced in the post by managing director Ross McArthur.
The move is part of a boardroom shake-up as the Pars adjust to life in the Championship next season.
Garmory will still be involved with the club but increased work commitments meant he could no longer fulfil the role of chairman.
In a statement, McArthur said: “It is both an honour and privilege to take on the role of Chairman, at the club that I have supported passionately all my life.
“When I first got involved trying to save our club, I never saw such a day coming to be honest.
“However, I intend to continue the good work of Bob by representing our club professionally, and acting with dignity and integrity as our club still has a lot of bridges to re-build within Scottish Football.
“I am also delighted that Billy Braisby has agreed to act as Vice Chairman in the new set-up, as Billy has been an unbelievable help to me since joining the Board a couple of years ago.
“In addition, I am also pleased David McMorrine will continue to act as our club’s Financial Controller, as his diligence and expertise has been crucial.
“Ian Hunter will continue to support the Board with his legal and financial expertise and I am delighted that Kip McBay, Jim Leishman and Margaret Ross have all agreed to continue their tenure on the Board as well, as our club needs continuity.
He added: “Next week, I will announce the appointment of a new General Manager who will work closely with me, over the coming months, to take on many of the day to day management tasks that I currently undertake.
“Finally, on behalf of my fellow Board members, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bob for his considerable efforts on behalf of our club, not only over the last two and half years as Chairman, but as I know, a good number of months before that when we worked together very closely to create the whole concept of Pars United.
“I can confirm that Bob intimated his desire to step down from the Board in October last year, due to increased work commitments, following the Purvis Group acquiring a couple of new businesses.
“It was agreed not to make any changes until the end of the season.
“In the intervening period, having given the matter some further thought, we are delighted that Bob has now agreed to remain on the Board and take responsibility, amongst other things, for the management of the stadium repair and maintenance programme working closely with Jim Thomson and maintaining continuity with his Purvis Group colleagues, who provide so much assistance to our club.”
Garmory added: “It has been a wonderful honour and huge privilege to have been able to fulfil the role of chairman of DAFC.
“However having completed phase 1 of our recovery and rebuilding programme it is now time to hand the reins over to Ross McArthur a man in whom I have absolute faith and trust.
“We all now need to redouble our efforts to support Ross and the Board as we work towards our next goal which is to permanently re-establish our club in the top tier of Scottish football.
“I would like at this point to thank all my fellow board members and the Pars fans, who have helped me in the last two and half years to carry out my duties, without you my job would have been so much harder.
“Also I would like to place on record my thanks for the wonderful support given by Bob Purvis, Jim Thomson and my wife Anne.”
