Sunderland director pays tribute as David Bruce to leave, Tom Burwell named interim CEO | OneFootball

David Bruce will leave his role as Sunderland’s Chief Business Officer this summer, with non-executive director Tom Burwell appointed interim CEO. The news prompted an emotional tribute from board member Leo Pearlman.

Pearlman said in a post that change is inevitable and necessary, praising Bruce for helping make the club a better place and for reconnecting Sunderland with its city. He also highlighted Bruce’s decision to leave Major League Soccer in July 2023 to return to Wearside.

Pearlman, co-founder and managing partner of production company Fulwell 73, has served on the board as a non-executive director since 2023. Burwell is CEO of Bia Sports Group, which manages the sporting businesses of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori.

Bruce’s departure forms part of a wider restructure following Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League. Mike Papadimitriou became Chief Financial Officer in September last year, and the club will appoint a new Chief Revenue Officer after Ashley Peden left as Chief Commercial Officer in January, with Scott McCubbin covering the role on an interim basis.

The leadership changes come as Sunderland prepare to appoint a permanent CEO in the summer, with Burwell overseeing the transition. The tribute framed Bruce’s tenure around purpose and connection rather than profile.

Source: Sunderland Echo