GOODBYE CELTIC PARK: Another Key prospect of the Bhoys foundation breaks Scottish Premiership shell by making a switch to Join BIG boys at Euros.
Former Celtic Commercial Director Adrian Filby has expressed a mix of emotions, leaving Glasgow with “a tinge of sadness” but also “a large dose of excitement” as he begins his new role with Premier League club Aston Villa.
In June, Glasgow World reported that Filby, who spent a total of 21 years across two stints with Celtic, had decided to depart Parkhead. A qualified chartered accountant with a degree from the University of Strathclyde, Filby first served as Celtic’s Special Projects Manager from 1997 to 2002 before moving into the Scottish media industry. He returned to Celtic in 2008 as Commercial Director, a role he held for 16 years before making his recent move.
Typically, a commercial director’s responsibilities include managing billing, labor organization, cost analysis, and negotiating material prices. They oversee commercial and managerial aspects of projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Filby shared his thoughts on the transition: “Recently, something strange happened… instead of heading to Celtic Park for work, I found myself at Villa Park! After 16 incredible years at Celtic FC, it’s with a touch of sadness and a lot of excitement that I drove down the M6 to take on the role of Chief Commercial Officer at Aston Villa.”
Reflecting on his time at Celtic, Filby credited the club’s commercial success to the efforts of a dedicated team behind the scenes. He highlighted successful partnerships with brands such as Dafabet, Adidas, JD Sports, Intelligent Car Leasing, and Magners, as well as the club’s merchandising success worldwide through stores, partners, and the in-house online retail platform.
He also took pride in other achievements, such as selling out the stadium with tickets and hospitality, growing Celtic TV and the club’s social media presence, and winning marketing awards. Filby particularly emphasized the development of the women’s team, which became a central part of the club, turned professional, and achieved notable success, including cup and league victories and Champions League qualification.
Filby concluded his Celtic career with pride: “From events like the Lions 50th anniversary to the Player of the Year awards at the Hydro, and the amazing work of the Celtic Foundation, I close this chapter of my career with immense pride. I had the privilege of working with great people, and together, we achieved all of this for Celtic FC.”
Now at Aston Villa, a club that recently secured a Champions League spot for the first time since 1982, Filby looks forward to reuniting with former colleagues when Celtic faces Aston Villa in January. He is excited about his new role at a club he believes is on an upward trajectory, led by a strong leadership team and one of the world’s best managers.
He added: “Aston Villa is going places, and the club captain is even a Scot! If you haven’t been to Villa Park, come along! We’ve invested over £30m in world-class hospitality while preserving the traditional atmosphere of this iconic stadium. We’re open for business, so get in touch!”
Filby ended with gratitude, saying: “Sincere thanks to everyone who has been part of my journey so far – I couldn’t have done it without you! Now, join me as we embark on the next exciting chapter.”