Karren Brady quits West Ham as fans lash out at ‘deeply damaging’ era

West Ham United’s Fan Advisory Board has delivered a withering appraisal of Baroness Karren Brady’s 16 years as vice chairman, claiming her legacy is “deeply damaging.”

Brady’s departure was announced on Tuesday and has prompted an immediate response from the club’s supporters’ board, with whom she regularly met and liaised with.

Fans have often criticised Brady for her role in West Ham’s move to the London Stadium, but the FAB’s complaints go further and have accused her of being partly responsible for a “widening disconnect between the club and its fanbase”.

In a statement, which pointedly does not thank Brady for her time at the club, the FAB said: “The Fan Advisory Board notes the departure of Karren Brady from West Ham United.

“Her time at the club will not be judged by corporate messaging, but by the lived experience of supporters. On that measure, her legacy is deeply damaging.

“Under her leadership, supporters have seen:

Concessions stripped from young, elderly and disabled fans only to be restored after a season-long campaign by all supporters

Ticket prices rise year-on-year despite record broadcast revenues

A widening disconnect between the club and its fanbase

Ongoing failures in stadium operations, safety and supporter experience

A consistent refusal to provide transparency on key issues, including attendance and governance

A record financial loss of £104m and another one on the way for this season. The club are now in a worse financial situation than they were when Mr Gold and Mr Sullivan bought the club in 2010.”

Addressing the stadium move in particular, the FAB added: “The move to the London Stadium was sold as progress. We were told ‘we had no choice, we had to move in order to compete’.

“For many, it has delivered the opposite – a dilution of identity, atmosphere and belonging.

“The FAB has engaged throughout in good faith, offering clear, evidence-based solutions. These have too often been met with delay, deflection, or outright refusal.

“Stewardship demands accountability. Many supporters will conclude that, in this respect, the club’s leadership has fallen short.”

Brady’s departure leaves West Ham in the hands of joint chairmen Daniel Kretinsky and David Sullivan. The FAB said: “This must now be a turning point – not a rebrand. Deep leadership issues remain at the club however.

“West Ham United needs leadership that respects supporters as stakeholders, restores transparency, and rebuilds trust through action, not words.

“The damage done to the club’s relationship with its supporters is deep and it is serious. It cannot be ignored. It must now be repaired or else our club will have lost its identity and culture, the very things that made us West Ham United.”

Brady, 57, had been in the role for 16 years and became a key power broker in English football, having led the club’s move from Upton Park to the London Stadium in 2016.

It is understood that she made the decision to leave at the turn of the year.

West Ham enjoyed success in Europe during Brady’s tenure, winning the Europa Conference League in 2023. She also oversaw the £105m transfer of Declan Rice to Arsenal that summer.

Her surprise departure ends a business relationship stretching back 40 years with the club’s joint-chairman, David Sullivan.

Brady first made waves in football at the age of 23, when she became managing director at Birmingham City, having persuaded Sullivan to buy the Midlands club. Brady joined Sullivan and David Gold, the co-chairman, at West Ham in 2010, having overseen the sale of Birmingham City for £80m in 2009.

However, the London club have faced a barrage of protests from fans unhappy about their ownership in recent years. The team are currently hovering above the relegation zone in 17th place. West Ham posted a £104.2m loss before tax in their accounts for the year ending May 31, 2025, with a decrease in revenue of £42.1m.

West Ham’s move from Upton Park to their new home has not been popular with supporters. Their rent at the former Olympic Stadium will infamously halve from around £4.4m in the event of relegation at the expense of taxpayers, who have lost millions of pounds propping up the venue since the 2012 Games.

The most recent annual report of operator London Stadium LLP for the year ending March 31, 2025, stated that the venue’s losses had risen to almost £1.3m a week (£68.4m per week). The report also forecast future losses of £241.5m, a figure that could rise further if West Ham are relegated. Each of the club’s home matches costs the taxpayer more than £100,000 and they would play four more home league games in the Championship than the Premier League.

In a statement on the club’s website, Brady wrote: “It has been a privilege to work alongside the board, management, players, staff and supporters at West Ham United. Together we have achieved remarkable milestones, but the highlight for me will always be lifting the Uefa Europa Conference League trophy – a moment that will stay with me forever. I am deeply grateful for the relationships, challenges and opportunities that have shaped my time at the club.”

The club said Brady “will continue to focus on her broader business interests, including non-executive roles, contributions in the House of Lords, mentoring, and leadership initiatives, as well as continuing her longstanding role on television series The Apprentice”.

Brady added: “While this chapter closes, my passion for football and commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders remains undiminished. I wish West Ham United every success for the future and look forward to following their continued achievements with pride.”

Sullivan said: “Karren has been an exceptional leader and a key figure in the club’s development over the years. We wish her every success in her future endeavours and thank her for her outstanding contribution over the past 16 years.”

Joint-chairman Daniel Kretinsky said: “I want to thank Karren most sincerely for our collaboration since 2021 and for all the work she has done in the past for the club. Her contribution to West Ham United’s growth, such as the long-term contract for the London Stadium, shareholders transition and the British record transfer of Declan Rice, has been absolutely essential and not always fully appreciated.”

In further upheaval, West Ham confirmed executive director Nathan Thompson has also stepped down with immediate effect.

He said: “I am proud to have been one of only two black board members in the Premier League, and I look forward to seeing greater diversity in leadership across the game.”

Sullivan is the largest shareholder in West Ham, owning 38.8 per cent of the club. Kretinsky, via 1890s Holdings, owns 27 per cent, with Vanessa Gold – daughter of the late David Gold – controlling 25.1 per cent on half of the Family Trust.

The remaining shares belong to US billionaire Tripp Smith (eight per cent) and other investors (1.1 per cent).

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