Ed Woodward

For the actor, see Edward Woodward. For the Australian jurist, see Edward Woodward (judge).
Ed Woodward
Born Edward Gareth Woodward
(1971-11-09) 9 November 1971[1]
Chelmsford, Essex, England
Nationality British
Alma mater University of Bristol
Occupation Accountant
Employer
Title Executive vice-chairman
Spouse(s) Isabelle Nicole Caprano (m. 2001)[1]

Edward Gareth "Ed" Woodward (born 9 November 1971) is a British former accountant and investment banker, and is the current executive vice-chairman of Manchester United F.C. In his current role, Woodward has overall responsibility for the operation of the club.[2][3]

Education

Woodward attended Brentwood School in Brentwood, Essex from 1983 to 1989.[1][4] He went on to study Physics at the University of Bristol graduating in 1993. He later qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1996.[2]

Career

Woodward began working for PricewaterhouseCoopers in the accounting and tax advisory department in 1993, before joining J.P. Morgan & Co. as an investment banker in the mergers and acquisitions department in 1999.[1]

In 2005, Woodward advised Malcolm Glazer and the Glazer family during its successful takeover of Manchester United. The Glazer family then recruited Woodward to join the club in a "financial planning" role.

In 2007, Woodward was given charge of the commercial and media operations of Manchester United. It was in this role that Woodward is credited for United's success in tying up lucrative sponsorship deals with companies around the world. In 2005, the club's commercial revenue was £48.7 million. In 2012, it stood at £117.6 million.[5][6]

Woodward was appointed to the board of directors and named executive vice-chairman of Manchester United in 2012. After the retirement of CEO David Gill the following year, Woodward was promoted to the top operational role at Old Trafford in a restructuring of the club's boardroom. Woodward was succeeded by Richard Arnold as the club's commercial management director.[7]

In August 2016, Woodward secured the transfer of Paul Pogba for a record breaking fee of €105 million, making him the most expensive footballer of all time.[8]

Criticism

Woodward's first transfer window, where Manchester United completed the signing of Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini from Everton, but failed to acquire other transfer targets, was described as being "disastrous" by The Daily Telegraph.[9] Following the poor summer transfer window in 2013, some fans demanded the sacking of Woodward.[10]

In July 2014, the newly appointed Manchester United coach, Louis van Gaal complained that Manchester United's excessive commercial activities could hamper the team's success and hoped there could be some balance to that.[11]

Personal life

Woodward supported non-league Chelmsford City in his youth.[12] His father was a fan of both Derby County and Manchester United, and was said to have attended Manchester United's 1968 European Cup Final win at the old Wembley Stadium.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "WOODWARD, Edward Gareth". Who's Who 2014, A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 2014; online edn, Oxford University Press.(subscription required)
  2. 1 2 ManUtd.com profile
  3. ↑ Interview with journalist Andy Mitten of United We Stand Manchester United fanzine
  4. ↑ "Famous OBs". Brentwood School. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "Manchester United owner's move to promote Ed Woodward finalises the 'Glazerfication' of Old Trafford". The Daily Telegraph. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  6. ↑ "Man Utd's Ed Woodward: the man behind the Glazer financial plan". BBC Sport. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  7. ↑ "Ed Woodward assumes responsibilities at MU". ManUtd.com. 20 February 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  8. ↑ "Paul Pogba joins Manchester United". juventus.com. Juventus. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  9. ↑ "Humiliation for Manchester United as new chief executive Ed Woodward learns the hard way". The Daily Telegraph. 3 September 2013.
  10. ↑ "Manchester United fans call for Ed Woodward to be sacked". Dailystar. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  11. ↑ "Louis van Gaal fears Manchester United are too big for their own good". The Guardian. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  12. 1 2 "Man Utd's Woodward carries burden of finding Moyes' successor". Financial Times. 25 April 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
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