COMMUNITY PROFILE



Keith Edelman

Board Mentor

Criticaleye

Keith has over 30 years’ international experience across the retail, leisure, property, consumer goods and media sectors. He was previously at PennPetro Energy plc, Non-Executive Chair at Altitude Group plc and Non-Executive Director at London Legacy Development Corporation. He is currently Non-Executive Chair of Headlam Group plc, and Chairman of Revolution Bars Group plc and Jewellery Quarter Bullion Limited.
 
After an early career in banking, during which time he was Managing Director at Bank of America Finance, Keith joined Grand Metropolitan as UK Strategy Director before moving into a Director of Finance role to conduct a turnaround of the Express Dairy business. Keith then moved to Ladbroke Group, where he was appointed Corporate Planning Director and developed the strategy to concentrate on four core divisions - Hotels, Betting, Property and Retailing - and dispose of the remaining subsidiaries.
 
Following the Hilton acquisition, Keith was given responsibility for Texas Homecare as Executive Chair, where he developed the business from 190 to 260 stores. Keith then moved to Carlton Communications as Managing Director before joining Storehouse plc as Group Chief Executive. Storehouse included the BHS and Mothercare businesses. Keith grew the company through developing new retailing formats, acquiring Children's World from Boots, developing the out-of-town Mothercare business and growing internationally in Russia, Asia and the Middle East.
 
In 2000, Keith was appointed Managing Director at Arsenal Football Club. Keith secured the first Strategic Partnership for the Club with the sale of a 10 percent equity stake to Granada Media and a record-breaking sponsorship deal with Nike and Emirates Airlines. Turnover and profits increased rapidly during Keith’s tenure, and he also moved Arsenal’s online business into a profit-making position.
 
Keith developed Arsenal’s award-winning Emirates Stadium on time and within budget; this included raising the initial £260 million and then refinancing through the very first UK credit-wrapped bond. He managed the Highbury Square scheme development of the Highbury Stadium into residential property, with a total sales value of £350m. Keith then retired from his role with Arsenal in 2008 to develop his non-executive portfolio career.
 
Keith’s previous non-executive roles have included Chair positions at Goal Soccer Centres plc, Scotch whisky producer, Glenmorangie plc and department store chain, Beale plc. He has held non-executive directorships on the Boards of Safestore Holdings plc, Eurotunnel, Qualceram Shires, Arnotts Holdings and Thorntons plc. Until 2018, Keith was Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee at Supergroup plc.
 
He was previously a Governor of Haberdashers’ Askes’ School and was appointed by RBS to lead the sales of Liverpool Football Club in 2011 and Clarion in 2014.


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