Tim Lewis will leave his position as the executive vice-chairman of Arsenal in what is a significant change at boardroom level for the club.
Lewis was a supporter of Financial Fair Play in the Premier League and someone who advocated the blocking of takeovers linked to nation states.
The 62-year-old corporate lawyer has advised Arsenal’s ownership group, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) since 2007, then became a director at Arsenal in 2020 and was promoted three years later.
Lewis forged a close relationship with the manager, Mikel Arteta, at the Emirates Stadium and was key to the new contract the Spaniard signed in 2023. He helped to lead Arsenal through the Covid-19 pandemic and had become a significant figure at Premier League level.
The timing of Lewis’s departure is seen as a surprise given his involvement in their summer recruitment, along with Andrea Berta, the sporting director, and Arteta. He was key to the signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.
He was also a trusted adviser of the Kroenke family and his exit is seen as a big surprise, given that he has a long working relationship with the 78-year-old Stan Kroenke. Richard Garlick will become chief executive officer and Josh Kroenke will continue to play a prominent role at the club. His increased involvement is seen as linked to the departure of Lewis.
“We would like to thank Tim for his continued dedication and commitment to Arsenal in a period of transformational change for the club,” Josh Kroenke said. “He has played a pivotal role and ensured we are in a great position to continue to deliver our strategy in our ambition to win major trophies.
“In keeping with our desire to always move forward, we will strengthen our board with some exciting additions who will bring vast experience to the club across a wide range of professions.
“The group know and love Arsenal, and will bring a different skillset and expertise while injecting fresh thinking and energy to support us all to achieve our ambitions.”
Garlick, meanwhile, moved to the club from the Premier League, where he had been director of football operations. He was director of football at Arsenal for three years and stepped up when Vinai Venkatesham left at the end of the 2023-24 campaign to join Tottenham Hotspur.
Two more KSE representatives, Kelly Blaha and Otto Maly, will join the board, as will the film producer Ben Winston, an Arsenal adviser and season ticket holder.