English Premier League soccer side Arsenal have announced the elevation of managing director Richard Garlick to the role of chief executive officer with immediate effect, amid a major shake-up of the club’s executive structure.
Garlick joined the club in 2021 as the director of football operations and became managing director in 2024, replacing the outgoing Vinai Venkatesham, current chief executive of bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who departed at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
Venkatesham had also been the club’s chief executive at the time, meaning Garlick will be the first permanent chief executive the club has had since the former’s departure.
Club co-chair Josh Kroenke, heir to the club’s Kroenke Sports and Entertainment ownership group, commented: “Rich has made an enormous impact on all fronts as we continue to strive to win major trophies, be financially sustainable, and put our supporters at the heart of everything.”
This change comes hand in hand with a reshuffle of the club’s board of directors, which includes the departure of long-standing Kroenke ally Tim Lewis.
Lewis advised on Kroenke Sports & Entertainment’s acquisition of Arsenal in 2007, and remained close to the club (and the Kroenkes) before taking on the role of director in 2020, and executive vice-chair in 2023.
Replacing him will be a group of new Arsenal board members, including firm and TV producer Ben Winston, and a pair of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment (KSE) members in Kelly Blaha and Otto Maly, as well as KSE advisor Dave Steiner, all of whom join as non-executive directors.
On the significant board shake-up, Josh Kroenke continued: “At this moment, we would like to thank Tim for his continued dedication and commitment to Arsenal in a period of transformational change for the club. He has played a pivotal role and ensured we are in a great position to continue to deliver our strategy in our ambition to win major trophies.
“In keeping with our desire to always move forward, we will strengthen our Board with some exciting additions who will bring vast experience to the club across a wide range of professions.
“The group know and love Arsenal, and will bring a different skillset and expertise while injecting fresh thinking and energy to support us all to achieve our ambitions.”
This set of moves further entrenches KSE’s control over the club, and in particular cements Josh Kroenke, a long-time advocate of Garlick’s prowess, as the club’s figurehead going forward.
