Leeds United have appointed Peter McCormick as their new executive vice chairman, as chief executive Angus Kinnear prepares to depart the club to join Everton.
Reports of the Toffees' interest in Kinnear emerged last month and the 47-year-old has now got his move to the Premier League outfit. While Kinnear is not going to leave Leeds and join Everton until the end of the season, Leeds have acted fast to bring in McCormick immediately.
A club statement read: "Leeds United can confirm CEO Angus Kinnear will leave his position with the club at the end of the season.
"Kinnear has been in the role since 2017 and oversaw promotion to the Premier League in 2020, the ownership transition to 49ers Enterprises Global Football Group in 2023, along with the purchase of Elland Road Stadium and its return to the club. He will continue to serve as CEO until the end of the season to support a smooth handover process.
"The club is also delighted to welcome Peter McCormick, who has resigned from his current roles at the Premier League and will be joining the club as Executive Vice Chairman.
"Bringing his experience as the former Chair of both the Premier League and Football Association, McCormick will support Chairman Paraag Marathe and other senior executives regarding strategic planning, stadium redevelopment and commercial matters, and will represent the club in key meetings."
Chairman Marathe added: "I want to thank Angus for his commitment and service for so many years, and for being a fantastic steward and leader of the club. As we move forward, I am confident that the incredible talent across our team will sustain our success. In the meantime, I look forward to continuing to work with both Angus and Peter as we fight for promotion in the coming weeks."
But who is McCormick? Born in June 1952, the 72-year-old educated at Ashville College and King's College London before establishing himself as one of the leading sports lawyers in England.
McCormick is best known for his work as the Chairman of the Legal Advisory Group of the Premier League and Chairman of the League's Football Board. In August 2015, he was unanimously elected by the 20 Clubs of the League to be a Director of the Football Association (FA) and a member of the FA Council. Prior to these appointments, he was Chairman of the Premier League during the 2014/15 season.
Prince William and Peter McCormick (Image: Catherine Ivill/Pool Photo via AP)
His work continued to get recognised with McCormick elected by the Premier League and the Professional Game Board of the FA to the Football Regulatory Authority (FRA) in March 2016. Throughout his time in this position, McCormick helped perform the regulatory, disciplinary and rule-making functions of the FA.
Alongside this, McCormick is also an an FA Ambassador, representing England and the FA at international matches abroad and away from Wembley.
In May 2016, he was appointed Chairman of the Panel of Ambassadors and three months later was confirmed as Chairman of the FA Group Remuneration Committee, signing a six-year contract until July 2022.
As well as that, McCormick was confirmed as Chairman of the FA Premier League Medical Care Scheme Ltd, a company providing private health care to 95% of professionals in football in this country.
Over the last decade, McCormick has served several other roles, such as being the Chairman of the FA Challenge Cup Committee, Chairman of Premier League Stadium Fund, a Trustee of the Football Foundation (the UK's largest sporting charity) and a Chairman of Sport Resolutions (UK).