Arsenal announce boardroom shake-up as Tim Lewis leaves and Richard Garlick named CEO

Arsenal announced on September 19, 2025, a shock boardroom shake-up, confirming that executive vice-chair Tim Lewis will leave the club. Richard Garlick has been promoted to chief executive with immediate effect, the club said. The changes come as owner Kroenke Sports and Entertainment moves to tighten its governance footprint, with two more KSE figures set to join the board and Ben Winston, a film producer and director, joining as a director.

Lewis, 62, has long been a trusted adviser to the ownership group since 2007, working with KSE before becoming a director at Arsenal in September 2020 and then executive vice-chair in March 2023. He was a vocal presence at Premier League level and led lobbying among a group of clubs to block takeovers closely linked to nation states.

Richard Garlick has been with Arsenal as managing director and will assume the CEO role with immediate effect. The club’s owners, led by Josh Kroenke, said: "We are delighted to promote Rich to CEO after an incredibly successful period as Managing Director of Arsenal. Rich has made an enormous impact on all fronts as we continue to strive to win major trophies, be financially sustainable and put our supporters at the heart of everything."

The club also thanked Tim Lewis for his contributions during a period of transformational change, noting that his leadership helped position Arsenal for the next phase of its strategy. In the same statement, the owners signaled that the board would be strengthened with new additions who bring a wide range of experience and energy to support the club’s ambitions.

Lewis played a pivotal role in negotiating Mikel Arteta’s new three-year contract in 2022, a move seen as central to Arsenal’s stability and plan to compete for major trophies in coming seasons.

As part of the governance refresh, two additional KSE figures will join Arsenal’s board to bring the family closer to the club, and Ben Winston, the film producer and director, will also join the board. The announcements underscore a broader shift in how Arsenal is run, with ownership seeking closer daily oversight and a fresh mix of expertise.

The shake-up arrives at a moment when Arsenal are balancing domestic and European competition with the aim of returning to the sport’s elite level. The changes, which include a new chief executive and expanded board representation for the Kroenke family, are framed by the club as part of a long-term plan to deliver on trophies, sustainability and a strong connection to supporters.