Former Chelsea and Manchester United CEO Kenyon joins David Beckham’s management team

Peter Kenyon, the former chief executive of both Manchester United and Chelsea, has joined forces with two of United's former star players.

Kenyon, who left Chelsea at the end of October, has joined Creative Artists Agency (CAA), whose clients include both David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. Both men wore the number seven shirt at Old Trafford, and both won Premier League and Champions League titles with the club before leaving for Real Madrid.

Kenyon joins CAA Sports' leadership team and will be responsible for guiding the agency's growth overseas in athlete representation, endorsements, sports properties for sales and sponsorship, media rights and corporate consulting. He will also develop CAA Sports' London operations, helping to build an international sales and management team.

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I have worked with CAA Sports over the past two years with Chelsea and have learned a lot from their approach and their team culture, which enables them to work effectively across a wide and exciting range of clients, both individuals and companies,” said Kenyon. “In a short period of time and in an increasingly competitive environment, CAA Sports has established itself as a leader in US sports, and I look forward to helping grow its international presence and creating new opportunities for the agency and its clients overseas.”

Kenyon had been Chelsea's chief executive since 2004 and during his time there built Chelsea into a global brand, including renegotiating the multi-million dollar jersey sponsorship with Samsung. During his tenure, Chelsea FC won the FA Cup in 2007 and 2009, the Premiership in 2005 and 2006 and reached the Champions League Final in 2008. He will remain as a non-executive director for the club.

Speaking on the appointment, CAA managing partner, David O'Connor, said: "Peter's outstanding record of success at the highest levels of international sports, plus his deep industry relationships and vast knowledge of the marketplace, will help us accelerate the momentum of our existing businesses and provide clients with unparalleled insight."

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CAA Sports co-head Howard Nuchow added: "Through our representation of Chelsea FC, we have had the opportunity to work closely with Peter and experience first-hand his collaborative, strategic approach to brand and business development. We are thrilled to work with him in his new role at CAA."

Prior to joining Chelsea, Kenyon was chief executive of Manchester United, where he secured Nike as team sponsor, bringing in £303 million over 13 years; brokered a £30 million sponsorship deal with Vodafone; and orchestrated a ground-breaking merchandising partnership with the New York Yankees.

For more information on the latest moves in the sports industry, see our Movers & Shakers section.

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