UK. The CEO of Premier League football club Leicester City, Susan Whelan, has been named CEO of the Year at the 2021 Football Business Awards in London.
Whelan, who also serves as Senior Executive Vice President of Thai travel retailer King Power International, was recognised by the judges for her work in leading the club through one of the most challenging seasons that the football world has ever faced.
She had earlier been named as the divisional Premier League CEO of the Year before being announced as the overall winner.
“I’m truly humbled and enormously grateful to the judges for such an honour, which is an endorsement of the work of the entire club” – Leicester City CEO Susan Whelan
Whelan was singled out for a number of outstanding achievements against the difficult backdrop of the global pandemic, in a 2020/21 season where Leicester City lifted the FA Cup for the first time in its history.
The club also secured a second consecutive fifth-place finish in the Premier League and moved to a spectacular new training facility in Seagrave during the season. The club also moved forward with land acquisitions and planning that will enable the expansion and enhancement of the King Power Stadium site.
During the season, Leicester City reached out to and supported its communities through the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19. It engaged with supporters, local authorities, community partners, charities and good causes to ensure support was available to those who needed it throughout the city and wider county.
Reflecting on the achievements of her club, and her awards, Whelan said: “I’m truly humbled and enormously grateful to the judges for such an honour, which is an endorsement of the work of the entire Club.
“I’m extremely proud to be part of it and proud of all our personnel that continue to contribute to Leicester City’s progress. I should also like to pay tribute to our community partners in Leicester and Leicestershire, without whom the Club would not be as effective in engaging with our communities and representing our city.
“Congratulations to all of the divisional winners, who would have been equally worthy of the overall award. The 2020/21 season brought unprecedented challenges for football clubs all over the UK but, through the outstanding support of their fans, together with the commitment, creativity and resilience of professionals throughout the industry, we can all look forward to brighter times ahead.”
At the awards, Leicester City was also named the winner of the Best Fan Engagement by a Club for its efforts to remotely engage, entertain and educate its supporters during the pandemic.
The club also received high commendations in the categories of Best Digital and Social Media Team category and Best Use of Technology in a Football Club. Leicester City in the Community was also among the nominees for the Best Football Community Scheme.
