Karren Brady steps down as West Ham vice-chair after 16 years

Karren Brady has resigned as West Ham United’s vice-chair with immediate effect, ending a 16-year spell as one of the club’s most influential executives.Her exit removes a key figure in the ownership group led by David Sullivan, and comes with West Ham sitting 17th in the Premier League, two points above the relegation zone with five matches remaining.Brady said: “It has been a privilege to work alongside the board, management, players, staff and supporters at West Ham United. Together we have achieved remarkable milestones, but the highlight for me will always be lifting the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy – a moment that will stay with me forever. I am deeply grateful for the relationships, challenges and opportunities that have shaped my time at the club.“While this chapter closes, my passion for football and commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders remains undiminished. I wish West Ham United every success for the future and look forward to following their continued achievements with pride.”Brady joined West Ham in 2010 after working with Sullivan at Birmingham City, and became closely associated with major strategic decisions, most notably the move from Upton Park to London Stadium in 2016.West Ham have credited Brady with leading negotiations to secure the stadium move and overseeing the transition to a 62,500-capacity venue, a shift that materially changed the club’s matchday ceiling and commercial footprint.The club also said they built a season ticket base of more than 50,000 during her tenure and have regularly recorded attendances among the Premier League’s highest, strengthening the business case for sponsors and premium hospitality.Sullivan said: “Karren has been an exceptional leader and a key figure in the club’s development over the years. We wish her every success in her future endeavours and thank her for her outstanding contribution over the past 16 years.”Joint-chair Daniel Křetínský linked Brady’s role to several high-impact inflection points in the club’s ownership and commercial evolution.Křetínský said: “Her contribution to West Ham United’s growth, such as the long-term contract for the London Stadium, shareholders transition and the British record transfer of Declan Rice, has been absolutely essential and not always fully appreciated.“Karren is also very highly appreciated in the Premier League leadership community and was an excellent representative of our club there. I wish her the best of luck in all future activities.”In recent seasons, Brady has faced criticism from sections of supporters amid underperformance on the pitch and concerns raised around the club’s financial results, putting the senior leadership team under sustained pressure.Her departure creates a governance and communications test at a sensitive point in the season, with sporting outcomes likely to influence summer planning across player trading, cost control and commercial leverage.West Ham said Brady will focus on her wider business interests, including non-executive roles, House of Lords work, mentoring and leadership initiatives, while continuing her television commitments.