Derek Shaw

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Derek Shaw is Chairman of Preston North End Football Club (2001-Present), and formerly Deputy Chairman (1997-2001).

Shaw, a lifelong Preston North End fan, originally became involved in the club through shirt sponsorship in the early 1990s. He is owner of Ribble Valley Shelving Limited.

Initially becoming a board member in 1994, then Deputy Chairman in 1997, Shaw took over as Acting Chairman in 2001 after the resignation of Bryan Gray at the 2001 club AGM. This position was made permanent in August 2002.

During Shaw's tenure the club has seen one play-off final and a semi final at Championship level and five managers: David Moyes, Craig Brown, Billy Davies,Paul Simpson and Alan Irvine. The decision to elevate Billy Davies from Craig Brown's assistant to full Manager of the club is generally regarded as his finest to date.

Shaw has in the past been criticised by certain sections of the Deepdale crowd for a perceived lack of ambition, but has strived to redress the balance in recent years and currently enjoys widespread popularity with North End fans due to his good Business sense, and his ability to not be to focused on the millions of pounds to be won through promotion, and instead running the club steadily.

On the 28th August 2007, Derek Shaw announced that he would not be standing up for re-election as a director at the club's Annual General Meeting later this year