Oxford United Football Club has confirmed a significant changes to its board, with former Inter Milan board member Rudi Laksmana and Indonesian-based football agent Dusan Bogdanovic both joining the club’s leadership group.
Dusan Bogdanovic has also been appointed as the Club’s new Chair, succeeding Grant Ferguson who is stepping down after four years in the role, although he will remain involved with the club as a director.
The club said the restructuring reflects its ongoing commitment to “driving football performance, improving strategic direction and progression both on and off the pitch,” as it continues to develop its long-term vision on and off the field.
New leadership structure
Following the changes, Oxford United’s leadership group is now comprised of Anindya Bakrie, Grant Ferguson, Rudi Laksmana, Dusan Bogdanovic (Chair), and Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth.
Laksmana, who has previously served on the board of Inter Milan under Erick Thohir’s ownership, has been associated with Oxford United since 2022, when Thohir increased his stake in the club.
Bogdanovic, meanwhile, is understood to be a Serbia-born sports executive and football agent based in Indonesia, with experience working within football structures in the region.
The club’s ownership is led by Indonesian businessman Erick Thohir, who completed his takeover in 2022 as part of a group initially holding a 51% stake. Thohir increased his controlling interest in November last year, further consolidating his position at the helm of the club.
Ferguson era ends but involvement continues
Ferguson’s departure from the chairmanship marks the end of a four-year period in charge that has coincided with a turbulent but eventful spell for the club.
During his tenure, Oxford achieved promotion to the Championship in the 2023/24 season but were relegated back to League One last season after finishing 22nd, four points adrift of safety.
Despite stepping down as Chair, Ferguson remains part of the board, continuing his involvement in a reduced capacity. The club thanked him for his “dedication, leadership and contribution” during his time in the role.
Context: ambition, change and infrastructure plans
Under Ferguson’s leadership period and continuing under the current ownership, Oxford have moved between the second and third tiers of English football, most recently returning to League One following their Championship relegation.
However, there is a broader sense of long-term planning underway. The club now has planning permission for a new stadium, a development seen internally as key to making a future return to the Championship more sustainable.
Read more: Ongoing coverage of Oxford United’s new stadium plans
Looking ahead
The arrival of Bogdanovic as Chair, alongside Laksmana’s appointment, underlines a continued shift towards an internationally experienced leadership model, closely aligned with the club’s Indonesian ownership structure.
While the club presents the changes as part of strategic strengthening, the scale of board-level transition is likely to be closely watched by supporters, particularly given the mix of continuity through existing directors and new external appointments.
For now, Oxford United’s leadership evolution signals both stability in ownership and renewed change at board level as the club looks to rebuild following relegation and position itself for another push towards the Championship.
