Arsenal go for another Old Etonian after Hill-Wood retires as chairman
LONDON: Arsenal have a new chairman. Retired banker Sir ‘Chips’ Keswick has been appointed in place of Peter Hill-Wood who is standing down for health reasons after 31 years in the role.
John Chippendale Lindley Keswick is, like Hill-Wood, an Old Etonian and they were colleagues on the board of Hambros bank. The Keswick family controls the Hong Kong company Jardine Matheson.
Hill-Wood 77, who had a heart attack last year said: “This has been a difficult decision as Arsenal Football Club has been a huge part of my life. Although I am feeling better I feel this is the right time for me to stand down.
“I would like to thank our majority owner, Stan Kroenke, for the respectful and dignified way he has handled this and I know Sir Chips is the right person to take the Club forward.”
The Gunners previously had Hill-Wood’s grandfather Sir Samuel and father Denis as chairmen in a period that stretches back to 1927.
Banker
Keswick, 73, has been on the board at Arsenal since 2005 and is a former chairman of Hambros Bank and director of the Bank of England. In his role as chairman, he will work directly with Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis on the club’s football and business ambitions.
Keswick said of his appointment: “Firstly, I am sad to see Peter standing down due to his health and we all hope he continues well in his recovery.
“The Hill-Wood family has made an extraordinary contribution to Arsenal over many decades. They have been central to the Club’s many achievements during this time.
“I am greatly honoured to have been appointed chairman of Arsenal Football Club. This is one of the great clubs in the game, recognised and loved by millions. I am looking forward to leading the Club to future success.”
Arsenal’s majority owner Kroenke said: “Peter has been a wonderful custodian of this Club. He has been a member of the Arsenal board for 51 years and his vision and steadfastness have been central to the successes of this great Club over that time.
“Peter will be sorely missed but we will ensure we recognise his many contributions to the Club in an appropriate way.”
Kroenke added that he was ‘delighted’ Sir Chips had agreed to become chairman and said the ambition was to ‘compete at the top of the game here and in Europe and to win trophies.’
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