Senior behind-the-scenes Burnley figure leaves after just over a year
Senior behind-the-scenes figure leaves his role
James Holroyd has left his role as Burnley’s chief executive officer (CEO).
The Clarets first announced Holroyd’s appointment in April 2025, shortly after the club had sealed promotion back to the Premier League under Scott Parker.
He officially started work later that summer.
At the time of his arrival, Burnley said in a statement that Holroyd’s appointment coincided with an “exciting era of transformation and growth”.
He was tasked with leading Burnley’s “off-pitch ambitions”, including brand, commercial, innovation, fan engagement and global growth.
Before joining Burnley, Holroyd had spent 14 years working for Adidas and another 14 years for Manchester United. But he departs Turf Moor after little over a year in the role.
Burnley have not officially announced Holroyd’s departure, but the Burnley Express understands he left his role last week. It’s also understood it was his decision to move on.
During his time at Old Trafford, Holroyd worked his way up from a retail specialist to the position of chief commercial development officer. It’s claimed he played a central role in the club’s record-breaking commercial success.
Upon announcing his appointment, chairman Alan Pace said: “We are delighted to welcome James to the team.
“His track record speaks for itself, having been at the heart of some of the biggest commercial and cultural success stories in world football.
“But just as importantly, he shares our values, our hunger to innovate and our belief in football as a force for good.
“With James on board, we’re ready to accelerate our ambition, turning vision into impact and purpose into progress, at every level of the club.”