The Apprentice star Baroness Karren Brady leaves West Ham role after 16 years

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Martin Macdonald | Author

Baroness Karren Brady has stepped down as vice-chair of West Ham after 16 years with the club.

She was appointed in 2010 by joint-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold and combined her responsibilities with the club with numerous other business interests, including her role on The Apprentice alongside Alan Sugar.

In a statement, 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."

Brady was previously at Birmingham City for 16 years and, after floating the club on the London Stock Exchange in 1997, she became the youngest managing director of a UK public limited company at the age of just 23.

West Ham's joint-chair Daniel Kretinsky praised her work at the club, while mentioning her polarising status among the fans.

"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," he said.

"Karren is also very highly appreciated in the Premier League leadership community and was an excellent representative of our club there."

Joint-chair Sullivan, who also worked with Brady when he owned Birmingham City, called her as an "exceptional leader" and a "key figure in the club's development".

Unpopular with some West Ham fans

Brady has not been universally popular among West Ham fans during her tenure at the club.

Supporters believe the club has not made sufficient steps forward after winning the Europa Conference League as, after 14 consecutive seasons in the Premier League, they are at risk of relegation in the 2025/26 campaign.

With five matches remaining in the season, they are down in 17th, two points ahead of London rivals, Tottenham.

There has been protests before and during matches this season. Holly Turbutt of the group West Ham Network, says the protests are a result of a "multitude of issues" at the club, including poor performances.

A major factor in the protests has been the succession of failed managerial appointments recently.

Julen Lopetegui replaced David Moyes, who led the club to Europa Conference glory but he was subsequently replaced by Graham Potter.

That was controversial as Potter’s appointment had been leaked in the press before Lopetegui was sacked.

The current manager is Nuno Espirito Santo, who was tasked with saving the club form relegation.

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