Sunderland are set for a significant shake up behind the scenes this summer
Chief Business Officer David Bruce is set to depart Sunderland this summer, The Echo understands.
Initially appointed as Chief Brand and Commercial officer upon his arrival the club in July 2023, Bruce was promoted to the role of Chief Business Officer a year later. Bruce was instrumental in a number of key changes behind the scenes at the club, including the move to switch to hummel as kit partner and to outsource the retail operation to Fanatics.
Bruce's work at the club, including on its iconic 'Til The End marketing campaign, drew praise from supporters but The Echo understands that the club are moving in a different direction as they bid to boost the club's commercial revenues and drive greater growth.
It's expected that a new CEO will be appointed this summer, who will be charged with driving revenues in order to strengthen the club's position in the Premier League.
Sunderland's off-pitch operating has already been undergoing a significant period of change in recent times, with Mike Papadimitriou appointed Chief Financial Officer last September. Tom Burwell also recently joined the board as a non-executive director, and both have close links to the Bia Sports Group - the overarching business through which Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori manage their sporting investments.
Burwell will take over as interim CEO until the new appointment is made this summer. The club are also currently in the process of recruiting a Chief Revenue Officer, following the departure of Ashley Peden from his role as Chief Commercial Officer in January. Scott McCubbin, who also works for the Bia Sports Group, has assumed the revenue officer role on an interim pasis.
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