Baroness Karren Brady steps down from West Ham role | OneFootball

Key figure for controversial London Stadium move has departed

Baroness Karren Brady has stepped down as West Ham's vice-chair after 16 years in the role, the Hammers confirmed on Tuesday.

A draw with Crystal Palace on Monday night moved the Hammers two points clear of Tottenham in 18th with five matches remaining.

West Ham fans held protests aimed at Brady and chairman David Sullivan earlier this season, with frustration both at performances on the pitch and the financial health of the club.

Brady has confirmed the surprise decision to step away after more than three decades of influential boardroom roles in the sport, having been Birmingham's managing director at the age of just 23.

In a statement on the club website, the Irons said: “Baroness Karren Brady, vice-chair of West Ham United, has today announced her decision to step down from her role at the club.

“In her 16 years as vice-chair, Baroness Brady led the negotiations to secure the club’s move to the London Stadium, overseeing and driving the process that delivered the transition to a 62,500-capacity stadium.

“Under her leadership, West Ham United built a season ticket base of more than 50,000 supporters and now regularly records attendances among the highest in world football, reinforcing the Club’s standing both globally and within the Premier League.

“Looking ahead, Baroness 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.”

In her own statement to The Times, Brady said: "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.

“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.”

She told the club website: “It has been a privilege to work alongside the board, management, players, staff and supporters at West Ham United.

Brady was appointed vice-chair at West Ham in 2010 by Sullivan, who she encouraged to buy Birmingham City 17 years earlier.

She led the negotiations to move West Ham from Upton Park to the London Stadium and has become a powerful figure in Premier League shareholder discussions.

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.”

He added to the West Ham website: “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.”

The Irons’ joint-chair Daniel Kretínsky 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.

Brady faced calls to step down from supporters on multiple occasions in recent years.

West Ham posted a £104.2million loss before tax in their accounts for the year ending May 31, 2025. Revenue decreased £42.1m.

Fan group Hammers United led one of the larger protests in September. A statement at the time read: "If we are going to get our club back our fanbase is going to have to fight.

"With Brady and Sullivan at the helm our club is going to die. It is in serious decline and dying a slow death.

"With thousands of long-term, time-served fans walking away, another relegation fight beckoning and another early cup exit, we cannot allow this to happen on our watch.

"We must show the world that Brady and Sullivan's position is untenable and they must step aside for the good of the club."