Karren Brady

Baroness Karren Brady CBE is recognised as the first woman in football, having turned around Birmingham City FC at just 23 before becoming the youngest managing director of a UK plc. As Vice Chairman of West Ham United for 16 years, she delivered a 300% income growth, secured the move to London's Olympic Stadium and negotiated the British record transfer of Declan Rice. Now focusing on her role on BBC's The Apprentice and broader business ventures, she equips audiences with practical insights on leadership, overcoming adversity and driving commercial success in challenging environments.

Breaking into the male-dominated world of football and transforming struggling clubs into profitable enterprises requires more than ambition. It demands commercial vision, resilience under scrutiny, and the ability to lead through both triumph and adversity. Baroness Karren Brady CBE is recognised as the first woman to hold senior leadership in British football, a trailblazer whose career has redefined what's possible for women in business and sport. As Vice Chairman of West Ham United for 16 years until 2026, a Peer in the House of Lords, and Lord Sugar's trusted adviser on BBC's The Apprentice, she has become one of the UK's most influential business figures and sought-after speakers on leadership, resilience, and commercial transformation.

Karren's track record speaks to her exceptional business acumen. At just 23, she became Managing Director of Birmingham City Football Club when it was in administration, turning it profitable within her first year and floating it on the London Stock Exchange in 1997, making her the youngest Managing Director of a UK PLC. She sold the club for £82 million in 2009. Joining West Ham United in 2010, she spearheaded the club's transformational move to the London Stadium, securing the long-term tenancy of the 62,500-capacity venue and building a season ticket base exceeding 50,000. Under her leadership, West Ham's income grew by 300%, the club lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy in 2023, and she negotiated the British record transfer of Declan Rice to Arsenal. Beyond football, she has served as a non-executive director for Channel 4, Mothercare PLC, Syco Entertainment, and Arcadia Group, and was appointed the UK government's Small Business Ambassador. Her contributions have earned her recognition as Businesswoman of the Year, CEO of the Year at the Football Business Awards, and one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Britain.

Karren brings audiences practical insights drawn from decades of navigating boardrooms, negotiating high-stakes deals, and leading through crisis, including her personal recovery from a brain aneurysm in 2006. Her speaking engagements focus on resilience, strategic leadership, gender equality in business, and turning adversity into opportunity. With her natural wit and down-to-earth approach familiar to millions through The Apprentice, she connects with audiences across sectors, inspiring leaders to challenge conventions and drive meaningful change. Whether addressing entrepreneurs, corporate executives, or aspiring professionals, Karren delivers actionable lessons on determination, commercial thinking, and building lasting success in competitive environments.