KEN HOUSTON

Hillary Clinton’s minders had, symbolically, booked a building in New York with a glass ceiling in anticipation of her acceptance speech as the first female president-elect of the USA.

This, one assumes, was to signal that with a woman holding the key to the White House, the glass ceiling on females had been pierced. In an abstract sense this would have been true but in a global sense business has already left politics behind in breaking the ceiling, and in the most unlikely places too.

Last week I wrote about the Hibernian FC cup-winning manager, Alan Stubbs, and his premature decision to be lured into the bear pit that is The Championship in England.

Although missing out on his priority of promotion, Stubbs brought a sense of renewed pride and purpose to Easter Road; at least on the field.

Perhaps of even more importance, however, is the chief executive, Leeann Dempster (pictured), who has been a steady hand on the administrative and financial tiller.

Last year’s share issue raised £500,000 and a second in February enabled share buying on the internet, the intention being not just to bring in finance but increase supporter interest in – and consequently loyalty to – the club.

Dempster’s arrival at Hibs (from Motherwell where she held a similar position) is generally seen to have had positive benefits, something mirrored on the west side of Edinburgh where the owner and chief executive, Ann Budge, first saved then turned round Hearts.

Recently the club was granted planning permission for a £12m replacement for the 1914-vintage Archibald Leitch stand, which will be the final part of the wholesale modernisation of Tynecastle.

So there you have it. Two steely women at the head of two companies in a sector of business that is more male-dominated (and misogynist) than any American political organisation.

Eat your heart out, Hillary.

@PropPRMan

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