• Former Chelsea chief executive to be based in
London
• New clients include Beckham, Mourinho and Ronaldo
Chelsea's former chief executive Peter Kenyon has
joined one of the biggest talent agencies in the world. Photograph:
Tom Jenkins/Guardian
Chelsea's former
chief executive Peter Kenyon has joined the sports arm of Creative
Artists Agency – one of the world's largest talent management
companies.
Kenyon, who left his post at Chelsea last month after five years
with the club, will be based in the agency's London office and be
charged with building on a roster of clients that already includes
David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andy Murray and the basketball
star LeBron James.
Kenyon will also be reunited with José Mourinho, another CAA
client, who was a close ally while working together under the
Chelsea's owner Roman Abramovich.
Kenyon said: "After 14 years running the two most successful
clubs [Chelsea and Manchester United], I decided that I wanted to
move on. CAA has clearly demonstrated that it is the best in the
industry.
"I have worked with CAA Sports over the past two years with
Chelsea and have learned a lot from their approach and their team
culture, which enables them to work effectively across a wide and
exciting range of clients, both individuals and companies.
"In a short period of time and in an increasingly competitive
environment, CAA Sports has established itself as a leader in US
sports, and I look forward to helping grow its international
presence and creating new opportunities for the agency and its
clients overseas."
Now 55, Kenyon was chief executive of the sportswear company
Umbro before joining Manchester United as a director in 1997. He
was promoted to chief executive in 2000 before taking on a similar
role with Chelsea in 2003.
