Arsenal’s new CEO: Royal Ascot guru poised to take charge after Vinai Venkatesham’s departure
Arsenal is considering Felicity Barnard, a prominent figure in the Ascot horse racing industry, as a potential candidate for their vacant chief executive position.
Barnard has prior experience with Arsenal in both London and Singapore, and she has also been associated with West Ham in the past.
In addition to her role as the Deputy DEO and commercial director at Ascot, Felicity Barnard serves as a non-executive director for Great British Racing. She obtained her degree in Material Science from the University of Birmingham in 2004.
Arsenal’s interest in Barnard comes in the wake of Vinai Venkatesham’s announcement that he will be leaving the club next summer after a 14-year tenure. Venkatesham initially joined Arsenal in 2010 as the head of global partnerships and worked his way up to the position of CEO three years ago. Notably, he also holds a non-executive director role with the British Olympic Association.
Venkatesham openly acknowledged that leaving Arsenal was a difficult decision for him, but he is determined to ensure a smooth transition. Arsenal director Josh Kroenke expressed the board’s full support for Venkatesham’s desire to pursue his next challenge.
But Kroenke added: “Change and succession is something the club is well prepared for.”
During Vinai Venkatesham’s tenure as CEO, Arsenal has experienced an upward trajectory, with notable contributions from Mikel Arteta, who found his footing as the manager after taking over in 2019.
Arsenal’s new CEO: Royal Ascot guru poised to take charge after Vinai Venkatesham’s departure
