Karen Brady has resigned as West Ham’s vice-chairman and announced that she will be leaving the club.
Mr Brady will step down after 16 years and work alongside co-chair Daniel Kreczynski and board member David Sullivan to focus on his other business interests and role in the House of Lords.
During the 57-year-old Baroness’s tenure, the club completed its move from Upton Park to the London Stadium, which was built as the main venue for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Ms Brady’s departure marks the end of her nearly 40-year business relationship with Mr Sullivan, who first appointed her at Birmingham City in March 1993.
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and West Ham
“It has been a pleasure to work with the West Ham United board, management, players, staff and supporters,” Brady said.
“We have achieved great milestones together, but the highlight for me will always be lifting the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy and that moment will stay in my heart forever.
“I am deeply grateful for the relationships, challenges and opportunities that shaped my time at the club.”
Co-chairman Sullivan said: “Karen has been an exceptional leader for many years and a key figure in the development of the club. We wish her every success in her future endeavors and thank her for her outstanding contribution over the past 16 years.”
Analysis: Divergent views on Brady’s achievements at West Ham
Sky Sports News Chief Correspondent Kaveh Solhekol:
“She has been thinking about it since the start of the year. She has been thinking about leaving West Ham for quite some time and already said goodbye to club officials last week.”
“Nonetheless, this is huge news. She is the first lady of football, a trailblazer, one of the most powerful and high-profile figures in men’s football, having worked in a male-dominated industry for almost 40 years.”
“How she is seen depends on your point of view. She will insist that she leaves the club in a better position than when she arrived. Her move from Upton Park to the London Stadium has put her at the forefront of negotiations and secured a fantastic contract with West Ham.”
“Under her management, West Ham also won the Europa Conference League, winning their first trophy since 1980.
“But she is a controversial figure, along with David Sullivan and the late David Gold. The majority of West Ham fans are unhappy with the way the club is run and the move to the London Stadium. They feel they should have remained at Upton Park.”
“As always, there are two sides to this story. But most people, especially those who are not West Ham supporters, will say that she has been an important figure in the last 20 or 30 years.”
“She is a very successful person, has many business interests and is well known for appearing on The Apprentice. I was always struck by the fact that she was always there at the Premier League shareholder meetings that I covered in London.
“If she wanted to stay in football, she would have had plenty of opportunities. But she’s already a very busy person and I’m sure she’ll continue to keep a jam-packed diary.”
