Leicester City Chief Executive Susan Whelan Honoured With OBE

Susan, who joined the Club’s Board of Directors in 2010 and became Chief Executive a year later, is conferred with the honour in recognition of her services to football, the economy in the East Midlands and the wider community in Leicester.

Susan said: “I am humbled and truly privileged to accept such an honour. I’ve been fortunate to work with some remarkable people in the last 12 years - Club personnel, city stakeholders and community representatives - all of whom are so passionate about Leicester, Leicestershire and its people.

“Leicester City remains enormously ambitious about its role in supporting Leicestershire’s future development, from a sporting, social and economic perspective. I’m personally very proud of the progress we have made together to date and excited about our onward journey.”

Under Susan’s leadership, Leicester City Football Club has taken significant steps towards fulfilling the potential identified by King Power when it acquired the Club in 2010. Her passion for supporter engagement, for celebrating the Club’s history and for strengthening its ties with the communities it represents have been at the heart of a journey that has taken the Foxes from the Football League to a position of Premier League strength. Following its historic Premier League win in 2016, the Club has lifted its first FA Cup, competed in three European campaigns and secured top-half finishes in five consecutive Premier League seasons.

Through consistent investment and focus on the Club’s Academy, talented young players from Leicestershire continue to make the journey to the Club’s First Team squad, which currently boasts four graduates from the Leicestershire region. Following the launch of LCFC Women in 2020, their promotion as FA Women’s Championship champions in 2020/21 and the retention of their Barclays FA Women’s Super League status a year later, the Club aims to drive participation among young girls in the region, promoting the benefits of sport and a productive pathway for outstanding female talent.

Susan, who was made a Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire in 2019, has also overseen the progression of the Club’s charitable interests - launching the LCFC Foxes Foundation in 2012. It was renamed the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation following the tragic passing of the Club’s then-Chairman in 2018 - an episode of immense significance to the city and of international media interest, navigated under Susan’s guidance. The Foundation continues to provide vital support to causes in Leicestershire - both those well established and those of more modest profile.

Through the development of the Club’s training facility in Seagrave and the proposed development of the King Power Stadium site - projects Susan has led from conception - the Club continues to invest in enhancing Leicestershire’s reputation as a home of elite sport and events, bringing jobs and inward investment to the region.

Leicester City Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “This is a most deserved honour for Susan - someone who has worked so hard and with such humility to help our Club, its supporters and communities realise our dreams.

“Leicester has been fortunate to experience some truly wonderful moments in the last 12 years, but there have also been challenges to overcome. Susan has played a big role in using those circumstances to unite people, making sure we learn from the experiences and always moving the Club forward.

“Everyone at the Club is extremely proud of her achievements and I offer my personal congratulations on such a prestigious honour.”

Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) is among the most famous honours bestowed by Her Majesty The Queen in recognition of outstanding work that benefits the UK.

In 1917 the Queen's grandfather, George V, developed a new order of chivalry, called the Order of the British Empire, as a way of rewarding both men and women who had made an outstanding contribution to the First World War effort. In modern times, the Order of the British Empire rewards service in a wide range of areas, from acting to charity work, with honours that include the well-known MBE and OBE.

Further to being made Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire for services to the community, Susan was also made an Honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Leicester in 2019 for her contribution to the prosperity and reputation of the city.

In 2021, Susan was named CEO of the Year at the prestigious Football Business Awards, the same year the Club won the award for Best Fan Engagement - an area of particular focus since Susan joined the Club in 2010.