Peter Lawwell
Born
Peter Lawwell

(1959-05-27) 27 May 1959 (age 64)
Scotland
NationalityScottish
Known forChief Executive of Celtic (2003–2021)
Chairman of Celtic (2023–)
Scottish FA Panel Member
ECA Vice-Chair
Children3

Peter Lawwell (born 27 May 1959) is the former chief executive of Scottish Premiership club Celtic.[1] He retired in June 2021 from his role as CEO.[2] He was announced as successor to current Celtic chairman Ian Bankier on 2 December 2022 and took up the role as non-executive Chairman on 1 January 2023.[3]

Career

Early career

Lawwell started his career as a trainee accountant with Babcock Energy in the 1970s.[4] After a career working as an executive for a number of companies, including ICI and Hoffman-LaRoche, Lawwell then went on to hold senior positions in Mining Scotland and Clydeport.[5]

Celtic

Peter Lawwell was first employed by Celtic as the club's Financial Controller from 1990 to 1991 under then Chief Executive Terry Cassidy. In September 2003, he returned to Celtic succeeding Ian McLeod as Chief Executive.[6] The job title was changed for Lawwell to executive director, Head of Operations as many of the previous Chief Executives had performed poorly in that role.[7] Arsenal were interested in appointing Lawwell as their chief executive in 2008, but Lawwell rejected their approach.[4] Lawwell has been credited with increasing revenue, reducing debt and is considered a tough transfer negotiator. He has attracted criticism since 2008, however, as rivals Rangers had won three championships in a row. In particular, Celtic fans cite the club's refusal to increase their offer for Steven Fletcher in January 2009, after which Rangers overhauled Celtic to win the 2008–09 Scottish Premier League championship.

In 2010 it was reported that Lawwell earned a wage of more than £700,000 a year, after receiving a 25% rise from his previous contract for the 2008–09 season.[8] After Celtic failed to win a trophy in the 2009–10, season he apologised to the Celtic fans.[citation needed] Celtic then sold Aiden McGeady for £9.5 million and reinvested the proceeds in new players, including Emilio Izaguirre, Beram Kayal and Gary Hooper.

In July 2011, Lawwell was named as part of the Scottish Football Association's new professional game board which was set up to advise over professional football in Scotland.[9] Celtic won the 2011-12 Scottish Premier League and after this Lawwell spoke of his desire for Celtic to get back to competing regularly in the Champions League. He also praised manager Neil Lennon and the management staff.[10]

In January 2021, it was announced Lawwell would be 'retiring' from his position as Chief Executive of the club, a position he had held for 17 years.

In 2022, it was announced Lawwell would return to Celtic at the start of 2023 replacing the outgoing Ian Bankier as non-executive chairman. [11]

Personal life

In 2010 Lawwell bought a £2.5 million home in Thorntonhall after selling his previous home in Drongan, which he had bought for £850,000, for £1.1 million.[12]

In 2021 Lawwell's home in Thorntonhall was subject to a fire attack after three cars were set alight resulting in Lawwell and his family having to flee their home for safety.[13]

References

  1. ^ Smith, Andrew (28 May 2010). "Peter Lawwell says new manager will be 'worth wait' for Celtic fans". Scotsman. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  2. ^ "McKay to replace Lawwell as Celtic chief". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  3. ^ "Celtic Announce New Non-executive Chairman". Celtic F.C. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  4. ^ a b Wilson, Richard (7 October 2011). "Lawwell logic remains paramount at Parkhead". The Herald. Herald & Times Group. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  5. ^ "Lawwell rejects Celtic exit talk". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  6. ^ "Celtic's Peter Lawwell joins Scottish FA board". BBC Sport. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Lawwell to help Celtic get down to business". The Scotsman. 26 September 2003. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  8. ^ "Celtic chief Peter Lawwell splashes out £1.5m on new mansion.. with heated driveway". Daily Record. 4 March 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  9. ^ "Celtic's Peter Lawwell happy to join new SFA board". BBC Sport. 20 July 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2012. By March 2012, Celtic, under Lawwell's guidance, were nearly debt-free."Celtic almost debt-free thanks to good housekeeping from Peter Lawwell". Evening Times. 30 March 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  10. ^ "Lawwell hails title triumph". The Press Association. 7 April 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  11. ^ "Ex-chief executive Lawwell to return to Celtic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  12. ^ "Celtic chief Peter Lawwell splashes out £1.5m on new mansion.. with heated driveway". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. 4 March 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  13. ^ "Images released after Peter Lawwell home fire attack". BBC News. 8 July 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
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