Leeds Utd chief takes early bath
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Robin Launders was yesterday forced out as chief executive of Leeds United less than a year after joining the club following its debut on the stock market. He will receive a pay-off of pounds 150,000.
The decision was taken at a board meeting over the weekend and broken to Mr Launders by Chris Akers, chairman of Leeds' parent company, Caspian, at a one-hour meeting at Elland Road yesterday morning. The meeting was also attended by Peter McCormick, a Leeds-based solicitor who sits on the club's board.
Mr Launders, who joined Leeds last August from Manchester United, where he had been finance director, is said to have been shocked by the decision.
"It came like a bolt out of the blue. He was clearly upset," said one source.
Although the brief statement issued to the Stock Exchange said that Mr Launders had resigned, he was left with no option but to go.
"His management style was abrasive and confrontational and he was not able to work with the existing management," one director of the club said.
"Things were not getting done. It reached the point where the board felt it could not last one day longer."
Mr Launders was a highly respected financial director of Manchester United and is credited with being one of the driving forces behind its commercial success and the redevelopment and expansion of the Old Trafford ground.
However, his skills failed to gel at Elland Road where Mr Launders was charged with the task of both developing a strategy for the club as a whole and taking forward the pounds 30m Arena project - Mr Akers' vision of turning Elland Road into the Madison Square Gardens of the UK as a property, leisure and multi-sports complex.
Mr Akers said: "It just did not work out. It was down to personality and management style and perhaps also we overloaded him with responsibilities."
He is being replaced by Jeremy Fenn, finance director of Caspian, who will take up the job of Leeds United's managing director.
Comment, page 23
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments