Former Chelsea chief Peter Kenyon to join Beckham talent management firm
PETER Kenyon, the former chief executive of Chelsea Football Club, has joined one of the world’s biggest talent management firms, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), to boost its work in sports.
Kenyon, 55, who left Chelsea last month after five years and also previously led Manchester United, said the agency had established itself as a “leader” in a highly competitive environment. Its list of illustrious clients include football stars David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as tennis ace Andy Murray.
He said: “After 14 years running the two most successful clubs, I decided that I wanted to move on. CAA has clearly demonstrated that it is the best in the industry… I look forward to helping grow its international presence and creating new opportunities for the agency and its clients overseas.”
Kenyon left Chelsea after being effectively sidelined by club owner Roman Abramovich. He was heavily associated with the appointment of Chelsea manager Felip Scolari at the beginning of last season, and was not consulted when Scolari was sacked a few months later after losing the confidence of the dressing room.
Kenyon also spearheaded the appointment of major new sponsors at the club, including Samsung, Adidas and Etihad. He was chief executive of sportswear firm Umbro before joining Manchester United as a director in 1997.