Quick Facts: West Ham United F.C.
| Principal Owner / Chairman | David Sullivan |
| Significant Minority Shareholder | Daniel Kretinsky (Czech billionaire) |
| Ownership Entity | WH Holding Ltd (private) |
| Ownership Type | Private (shared) |
| League | Premier League |
| Home Stadium | London Stadium, Stratford, London |
| Founded | 1895 (as Thames Ironworks FC) |
| Publicly Traded | No |
Who Owns West Ham United?
West Ham United is a privately owned Premier League club, controlled through WH Holding Ltd. The principal chairman and major shareholder is David Sullivan, a British businessman who co-purchased West Ham (along with the late David Gold) in 2010. Following the death of co-owner David Gold in January 2023, his family sold their stake to Daniel Kretinsky, a Czech billionaire who had already been building a position in the club. Kretinsky now holds a significant minority stake alongside Sullivan. Karren Brady serves as Vice Chair and is a prominent executive figure within the club’s administration.
About David Sullivan
David Sullivan is a British entrepreneur and businessman who made his fortune in publishing and media. He co-owned Birmingham City F.C. before acquiring West Ham United in January 2010 alongside David Gold, paying approximately £105 million for control of the club. Under Sullivan’s tenure, West Ham moved from Upton Park to London Stadium (the 2012 Olympics venue) in 2016 — a controversial but transformative shift that dramatically expanded the club’s capacity. Sullivan serves as the club’s Chairman and principal decision-maker. Sullivan’s era has seen European success, with West Ham winning the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2023.
Key Ownership Highlights
- David Sullivan and the late David Gold acquired West Ham United in January 2010, replacing previous owner Björgólfur Gudmundsson.
- David Gold passed away in January 2023; his family subsequently sold their shares to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, who now holds a significant minority stake.
- West Ham won the UEFA Europa Conference League in the 2022–23 season — the club’s first major European trophy.
- The club moved from historic Upton Park (Boleyn Ground) to London Stadium in Stratford, East London, in 2016.
- Karren Brady serves as Vice Chair of West Ham and is one of the highest-profile female executives in English professional football.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns West Ham United?
West Ham United is principally owned by David Sullivan, with a significant minority stake held by Daniel Kretinsky. The club is operated through WH Holding Ltd.
Who is Daniel Kretinsky?
Daniel Kretinsky is a Czech billionaire with interests in energy, media, and real estate. He has been steadily increasing his stake in West Ham United following the death of David Gold in January 2023, when Gold’s family sold their shares.
Is West Ham United publicly traded?
No. West Ham United is a privately owned football club. Its ownership structure operates through WH Holding Ltd and is not listed on any stock exchange.
What trophies has West Ham won?
West Ham’s most recent major honor was the UEFA Europa Conference League, won in the 2022–23 season. Historically, the club has won the FA Cup three times (1964, 1965, 1980).
