The behind-the-scenes restructuring of West Ham United has just gone up a notch. One week after the sudden departure of Karren Brady comes the appointment of Karim Virani as the Premier League club’s new interim CEO.
Virani was officially unveiled as the new chief executive on Wednesday morning.
The official West Ham United website describes him as a ‘a highly respected and experienced figure within the professional game’, having also worked north of the border at Rangers for a couple of seasons.
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Virani joins as interim CEO following Karren Brady's exit…
Virani returns for a second spell in East London boasting ‘a broad and established career across the sports, technology, financial services, telecommunications and broadcast sectors; [Virani] has held leadership positions at several global organisations and has a proven track record for delivering consistent and lasting commercial growth’.
Just last week, long-serving vice chair Baroness Karren Brady announced her departure. Executive Director Nathan Thompson departed too, on the very same day.
Virani, taking one of the most senior roles at the club on an interim basis, will now become a central figure in bridging the gap between the old era and the new.
Karim Virani profiled; West Ham United’s new interim CEO
Interestingly, this is not Virani’s first spell at West Ham. He previously worked for the Premier League outfit between 2015 and 2020, leading the digital, marketing and commercial operations at a time in which social media was transforming the footballing landscape.
Virani spent two years at Scottish giants Rangers between 2023 and 2025, working as their Chief Commercial Officer.
A man with his finger on the pulse when it comes to new innovations, he also worked as the Commercial Director for Socios.com; a blockchain-based app focusing on boosting fan engagement. Virani has experience in the Esports world – serving as a non-executive director at London Esports and for Hashtag United – so returns to West Ham having proven himself to be an innovative, modern-minded yet fan-focused individual.
Former Rangers CEO James Bisgrove highlighted Virani’s ‘drive, experience and global network’ when bringing him to Ibrox.
Furthermore, during his first spell at the London Stadium, he helped push through what Brady called a ‘record-breaking’ six-year sponsorship deal with Betway.
Sixteen contentious years…
Tell us Brady's most controversial moment…
Virani put a special focus on Hammers’ working class background
Back for a second stint, Virani will be determined to keep pushing the Hammers into a bold new era while retaining those ‘working-class values’.
“I am proud and honoured to be returning to West Ham United, a club I have a deep affinity and admiration for,” Virani said during his unveiling.
“This is a massive football club, with incredibly loyal and passionate supporters, a hugely talented and dedicated group of players, coaches and staff, a proud and unique heritage, and an ambition to be as successful as possible, both on and off the pitch.
“I am determined to do everything I can to help the club achieve our objectives, with the absolute priority and focus of everyone here right now on supporting Nuno Espírito Santo and his players as they look to finish the season positively.
“In recent weeks and months, Nuno, his coaches, the players, staff and our supporters have shown great commitment and collective spirit to help improve our position in the Premier League. We have a mission to achieve between now and the end of the season and nothing will distract us from that.
“West Ham United is a club built on working-class values of hard work, honesty, commitment and togetherness – and those values must continue to be the bedrock of everything we do in the coming weeks and beyond.”
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