BREAKING: Brady steps down as West Ham vice-chair after 16-year tenure

Baroness Karren Brady has resigned from her role as vice-chair of West Ham United, bringing an end to a 16-year spell at the Premier League club, Sport360NG reports. 

Brady, who was appointed in January 2010 by then joint-owners David Sullivan and David Gold, officially stepped down on 15 April. Speaking to The Times, she revealed that her decision had been made in mid-February after initial reflections earlier in the year.

In a farewell statement, Brady expressed gratitude for her time at the club, highlighting the relationships and milestones achieved during her tenure.

“It has been a privilege to work alongside the board, management, players, staff and supporters at West Ham United,” she said.

“While we have accomplished so much together, lifting the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy remains a standout moment that I will always cherish.”

Key Achievements and Legacy

During her time in leadership, Brady played a central role in several transformative developments at the club. She was instrumental in overseeing West Ham’s relocation from Upton Park to the London Stadium in 2016, successfully securing the venue ahead of rival bids, including one from Tottenham Hotspur.

She also presided over the club’s record-breaking £105 million sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal, a landmark deal in British football.

On the pitch, West Ham enjoyed a period of European progress, reaching the Europa League semi-finals in the 2021–22 campaign before securing the 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League title, the club’s first major trophy in over four decades.

Mixed Fortunes in Final Season

Despite those successes, Brady’s final season coincides with a challenging period for the club. West Ham currently sit just two points above the relegation zone with five matches remaining in the Premier League campaign.

Supporter unrest has also been a recurring theme, with sections of the fanbase staging protests against Brady and Sullivan during the 2025–26 season, citing dissatisfaction with both results on the pitch and issues surrounding the London Stadium.

Tributes from Club Leadership

Joint-chair Daniel Kretinsky paid tribute to Brady’s impact, noting that her contributions were not always fully recognised.

“Her role in the club’s growth, whether through securing the London Stadium contract, overseeing shareholder changes, or facilitating the record transfer of Declan Rice, has been vital,” he said.

Sullivan, who has worked closely with Brady since their time together at Birmingham City, described her as an “exceptional leader” and credited her as a driving force behind West Ham’s development over the past decade and a half.

Brady leaves behind a legacy defined by major structural change, commercial growth and a long-awaited return to European silverware for the east London club.