Who is Nathan Thompson? West Ham’s ‘record-breaking’ director follows Karren Brady

Karren Brady arrived as part of the David Sullivan, David Gold takeover in 2010. During nearly two decades in situ, West Ham United suffered the lows of relegation, tasted the sweet highs of Conference League glory, and almost everything else in between.

BIG NEWS 👀 What is your immediate reaction?!

Via the club’s official website, meanwhile, another departure has been confirmed in the shape of Executive Director Nathan Thompson.

Nathan Thompson follows Karren Brady out of West Ham United

West Ham say that Thompson has ‘stepped down from his role with immediate effect’.

Thompson arrived in 2016, shortly after the move to the London Stadium, with a focus on Global Partnership Development. Over the next decade, he worked as a Commercial Director and Partnerships Director before his appointment, in 2025, as an Executive Director with a focus on commerce, marketing, digital and content.

‘Over nine and a half years at the Club, Nathan delivered record-breaking commercial growth across Partnerships, Hospitality, Retail and Ticketing, while transforming the Club’s Marketing, Digital and Content operations,’ the statement reads.

‘He also led major strategic initiatives, including pre-season tours to the USA and Australia.’

A former commercial manager at bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Thompson was promoted under Brady following the departure of Tara Warren.

While Brady has been labelled a ‘ground-breaker’ – a strong female voice in a male-dominated environment – Thompson too is proud to have blazed a trail at West Ham and beyond.

Sixteen contentious years…

Tell us Brady’s most controversial moment…

“It has been a privilege to be a part of this Club and to work alongside exceptional colleagues across all areas of the business – always with our supporters at the centre of everything we do,” Thompson says in his farewell message.

“I am proud to have been one of only two Black board members in the Premier League, and I look forward to seeing greater diversity in leadership across the game.

“My thanks go to our shareholders, the Board and my team for their support. I wish the Club every success in the future.”