Peter Lawwell

Peter Lawwell is the chief executive of the Scottish Premier League football club Celtic F.C.[1]

Lawwell started his career as a trainee accountant with Babcock Energy in the 1970s.[2] After a career working as an executive for a number of companies, including ICI and Hoffman-LaRoche, Lawwell joined Celtic as financial controller in 1990. He left the club and held senior positions in Mining Scotland and Clydeport before returning to Celtic in November 2003 as CEO.[3] Arsenal were interested in appointing Lawwell as their chief executive in 2008, but Lawwell rejected their approach.[2]

Lawwell has been credited with increasing revenue, reducing debt and is considered a tough transfer negotiator.[2][4] He has attracted criticism since 2008, however, as rivals Rangers have won three championships in a row.[2] In particular, Celtic fans cite the club's refusal to increase their offer for Steven Fletcher in January 2009, after which Rangers overhauled Celtic to win the 2008–09 Scottish Premier League championship.[2] After Celtic failed to win a trophy in the 2009–10, season he apologised to the Celtic fans.[5] Celtic then sold Aiden McGeady for £9.5 million and reinvested the proceeds in new players, including Emilio Izaguirre, Biram Kayal and Gary Hooper.[2]

References

  1. ^ Smith, Andrew (28 May 2010). "Peter Lawwell says new manager will be 'worth wait' for Celtic fans". Scotsman. http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Peter-Lawwell-says-new-manager.6326199.jp. Retrieved 17 December 2010. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f Wilson, Richard (7 October 2011). "Lawwell logic remains paramount at Parkhead". The Herald (Herald & Times Group). http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/celtic/lawwell-logic-remains-paramount-at-parkhead-1.1127918. Retrieved 9 October 2011. 
  3. ^ "BOARD OF DIRECTORS". celticfc.net. http://www.celticfc.net/home/corporate/board.aspx. Retrieved 17 December 2010. 
  4. ^ Hamilton, Tom (4 March 2010). "Celtic chief Peter Lawwell splashes out £1.5m on new mansion.. with heated driveway". Daily Record. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2010/03/04/celtic-chief-peter-lawwell-splashes-out-1-5m-on-new-mansion-with-heated-driveway-86908-22085029/. Retrieved 17 December 2010. 
  5. ^ Jardine, Peter (16 May 2010). "Sorry Bhoys! Celtic chief Peter Lawwell issues apology to fans over SPL failure". Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1278949/Sorry-Bhoys-Celtic-chief-Peter-Lawwell-issues-apology-fans-SPL-failure.html. Retrieved 17 December 2010.