Foundation chief executive to retire from role
John Shiels, chief executive officer of Manchester United Foundation, has announced that he will be retiring from his role at the end of the season.
Over the past 18 years, John has developed an operational delivery model that is based in the most socially deprived areas of Greater Manchester, and has led the growth of Manchester United Foundation to become one of the largest football club charities in the UK and a leading organisation for youth impact across the North West.
Delivering football, educational and personal development programmes the Foundation directly engages upwards of 42,000 young people across every borough of Greater Manchester and other areas of the UK.
In 2022, John was awarded an MBE for his services to young people; he was also presented with a doctorate by Ulster University, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the personal development of young people through education, sport and community engagement.
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John Shiels said: “Having made the decision to step down from my role at Manchester United Foundation, I look back on my time with deep gratitude and pride.
“I am indebted to all the people who have supported, guided and inspired me during my time at the charity and club, and must acknowledge and thank the amazing Foundation workforce, who, every day, go above and beyond to serve our local community.
“For now, it is very much business as usual, and I retire from Manchester United Foundation with confidence that the charity will continue to flourish during a time when the young people across our communities will need our help most.
“After two decades of serving the club that I love, I am now looking forward to exploring new opportunities and spending time with family overseas.”
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Collette Roche, chief operating officer and chair of Manchester United Foundation, said: “I would like to thank John for his leadership, vision and passionate support of our Manchester United community over the past 18 years.
“As we enter the final few months of John’s time as CEO of the Foundation, on behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to take this opportunity to wish him all the best for the future.”