At the turn of the surprising event, Tim Lewis has stepped down from his role as Arsenal’s executive vice chair, showing major remodeling on the club’s board. Lewis, 62, has been advising Arsenal’s owning group, Chloenke Sports and Entertainment (KSE), since 2007. He was appointed Director of Gunner in 2020 and was subsequently promoted in 2023.
However, Lewis, who has a long-standing relationship with Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke, has decided to start from Emirates Stadium and show a dramatic change in the club’s leadership structure. According to Football.London, Lewis’ exit has come as a surprise, with no clear indication that such a move is imminent. This development continues almost a year after EDU Gaspar’s unexpected departure, but the circumstances surrounding the driving force behind Lewis’ departure and decision remain unclear.
Josh Kroenke, who has played a key role at Emirates Stadium in recent years, will continue with managing director Richard Garlic taking over as the club’s new CEO.
Two more KSE representatives will be on board, along with long-term advisor and film producer and Arsenal season ticket holder Ben Winston.
Arsenal’s official statement read: “We are pleased to announce that Managing Director Richard Garlic will soon be effective and become CEO.
“Richard joined us in 2021 as Director of Football Operations, and last year he played the club’s role as managing director, leading the club’s executive team to helm the club.
“In addition to this change, there is an evolution into a board of directors led by co-chairs Stan and Josh Croenke. Five years after Arsenal, Tim Lewis left the board and left the club.
“Kroenke Sports and Entertainment (KSE) Kelly Blaha and Otto Maly will join the board as non-executive directors along with longtime KSE advisor Dave Steiner. They will closely ties the KSE family together and provide a wide range of experts to strengthen Arsenal.
“Producer and Director and Club Season Ticket Holder Ben Winston will be joining the board as non-executive director for over 30 years. The group, combined with longtime director Peckham’s Lord Harris, brings diverse experience and knowledge from finance, sports, retail, property development, media and entertainment.”
Following the promotion to CEO of Garlick and confirmation of Lewis’ departure, co-chair Josh Kroenke expressed his joy on the club’s website.
He states: “Ricch has had a major impact on all sides as he continues to strive to win major trophies, be financially sustainable and put his supporters at the heart of everything.
“At this point, I would like to thank Tim for their continued dedication and commitment to Arsenal during the club’s period of transformational change.
“He played a pivotal role and ensured we were in a great position to continue to offer our strategy in our ambition to win major trophies.
“In line with the desire to constantly move forward, we will strengthen our board with exciting additions that will bring enormous experience to the club across a wide range of professions.
“The group knows and loves Arsenal. We inject fresh thinking and energy while bringing a variety of skill sets and expertise to support us all in achieving our ambitions.”
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