Gillingham have taken on a new chief executive.

The new man in the CEO seat is Tom Lawrence, the lawyer who worked on the Centerplate case for the Gills.

Lawrence worked on their big case as a London partner at law firm SA Law. He headed the legal team for the club having being known for his specialist skills in big commercial disputes.

Upon his new role, Mr Scally said: “He started work earlier this week but will officially be announced prior to kick off (for Saturday’s game with Scunthorpe).

”This is an exceptionally important role and I am delighted that Tom has agreed to join us.

“He has been working for us recently in the role as club lawyer and brings with him a wealth of experience in management and legal matters.”

The Gills were awarded close to £1.4m damages from their former caterers Centerplate, along with legal costs, after they pulled out of the club without notice.

Lawrence said of the case: “From my many years’ experience in the commercial courts I have never heard such strong words used (by the judge) to describe parties in such black and white terms.

“There’s usually far more grey in cases like this. It proves how right the club’s chairman Paul Scally was to stand up to them and fight them all the way.”

Mr Scally was impressed with his lawyer’s efforts on the case, saying at the time: “I was never in doubt as to the merits of the case. I would like to thank our legal team, especially Tom Lawrence of SA Law, for all their help and guidance, without whom we would not have achieved the result.”