Tottenham have bolstered their leadership team by hiring Vinai Venkatesham as the club’s next Chief Executive Officer.
The former Arsenal executive will officially begin his role this summer, bringing with him over a decade of top-level experience from the Gunners’ front office.
Venkatesham, 44, was instrumental in Arsenal’s off-field growth and development during his tenure and will now take on responsibility for Tottenham’s overall operations – both sporting and commercial.
“I’m excited to be joining Tottenham Hotspur this summer,” Venkatesham told the club’s official site. “After taking some time to recharge and evaluate my options, I believe this is an exceptional opportunity to work with Daniel, the Board and all of the staff, to take the club forward.”
It’s uncommon for executives to move between Premier League heavyweights, especially between fierce rivals. Venkatesham now joins a select group of football executives, including Peter Kenyon and Omar Berrada, who have held major roles at more than one top-flight club.
While at Arsenal, he built strong connections with external stakeholders like the Premier League and the European Club Association (ECA), relationships he is expected to continue leveraging at Spurs.
We are delighted to announce that Vinai Venkatesham will be joining the Club’s Board as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the summer.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 11, 2025
Venkatesham began his time at Arsenal in 2010 as head of global partnerships and steadily climbed the ranks. By 2018, he was named managing director alongside Raul Sanllehi, who oversaw football operations.
After Sanllehi’s departure in 2020, Venkatesham stepped into the CEO role and assumed full leadership.
During his time at the Emirates, he played a central role in major appointments including Edu, Mikel Arteta, and Richard Garlick.
He left Arsenal at the end of the 2023–24 season, having held six different roles across 14 years.
Venkatesham’s hiring could signify a broader reshaping of Tottenham’s leadership. Chairman Daniel Levy has been at the helm since 2001, but key positions beneath him have seen high turnover in recent years.
