Who is Tim Lewis? Stan Kroenke ally who stunned Arsenal by suddenly quitting the club

Arsenal have announced the sudden departure of executive vice-chair Tim Lewis.

Lewis’ decision to step down came to light on Friday morning. The corporate lawyer, 62, had advised Arsenal’s ownership group Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) since 2007.

He was associated with owner Stan Kroenke, 78, for a long time, before becoming director of the Premier League club in September 2020 and being promoted again to his most recent role in March 2023.

The lifelong Gunners supporter's departure comes as a shock given his crucial role, alongside sporting director Andrea Berta and manager Mikel Arteta, in the Gunners’ highly-successful recruitment drive in the recent summer transfer window.

As a board member, any significant expenditure went through him. If Arsenal wanted to sign a new first-team player, for example, Lewis and others would need to give their approval before signalling the green light.

In Arsenal's Amazon documentary, during the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saga, Lewis told Arteta it wasn’t his job to offer footballing advice to the manager, but to support him where possible, showing the limits of his own responsibilities. Lewis’ strong relationship with Arteta meant he was also a key figure in the dialogue surrounding the Spaniard signing a three-year contract with the club in 2022.

Perhaps lesser known is that, between 2007 and 2008, he advised Kroenke and KSE on their investment in Arsenal. He was involved when Kroenke purchased an initial 9.9 per cent stake from ITV plc in 2007, and continued to be integral as Kroenke became majority shareholder in 2011 and took full control of the club in 2018.

Over time, his responsibilities went far beyond legal matters and the club acquisition. In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, he helped steer Arsenal through a troubling period by helping to refinance its debt.

Lewis, a passionate advocate of financial fair play, also became an increasingly vocal presence at Premier League level and has led the lobbying among a group of clubs to try to block takeovers closely linked to nation states.

He is regarded as a strong and highly-respected character who is not afraid to say what he thinks, which can sometimes lead to uncomfortable conversations and might have ultimately cost him.

His exit has sparked a dramatic change in Arsenal’s leadership structure in the form of a major shake-up of the club’s board. Richard Garlick, who joined as the club’s director of football operations in 2021 and became managing director last year, has been appointed as the new CEO.

Meanwhile, Stan’s son, Josh Kroenke, has had a more hands-on role at the club in recent years and will continue to do so.

KSE representatives Otto Maly and Kelly Blaha will join the board as non-executive directors, along with KSE adviser Dave Steiner, bringing the family closer to the club. Film producer and director, as well as adviser and long-time Arsenal season ticket holder, Ben Winston, has also joined the board.

Josh Kroenke said on Lewis’ departure: "We would like to thank Tim for his continued dedication and commitment to Arsenal in a period of transformational change for the club. He has played a pivotal role and ensured we are in a great position to continue to deliver our strategy in our ambition to win major trophies.

“In keeping with our desire to always move forward, we will strengthen our board with some exciting additions who will bring vast experience to the club across a wide range of professions.

“The group know and love Arsenal, and will bring a different skillset and expertise while injecting fresh thinking and energy to support us all to achieve our ambitions.”

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