Peter Hill-Wood planning to step down as Arsenal Chairman

Arsenal Chairman Peter Hill-Wood is planning to bow out, putting an end to fifty-one years spent with the Gunners. Three generations of the Hill-Wood family have served in the Chairperson role, totally spanning over eighty-four years. The decision to put an end to this very long era, which was preceded by both his father, Denis, and his grandfather, Samuel, comes after Peter suffered a heart attack and a bout of pneumonia earlier this year.

Peter, who has been a board member since 1962 and the Chairman since 1982, took to the press on 30^th May to state that nothing has been decided. However, it seems likely that he will decide to stand down.

Hill-Wood’s departure, however, would have limited operational impact on Arsenal. Even with him tending the Chair, the day-to-day running of the club is overseen by chief executive Ivan Gazidis and manager Arsène Wenger.

Even after the takeover of 2011 by Stan Kroenke, the majority owner, much hasn’t changed at the board with the exception of the addition of some new members. Considering the fact that members such as Ken Friar, Sir Chips Keswick and Lord Harris are all in their seventies, there is a general desire to recruit other directors with varied experience.

The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust have commissioned an independent report into the boardroom structure, and it was recommended that the board add a distinguished former player, a female member and someone with the specific responsibility of engaging with supporters and wider stakeholders.

Source: The Telegraph