Aston Villa Make Four Senior Leadership Appointments

Aston Villa has announced four new appointments to the senior leadership team at Villa Park.

The club’s President of Business Operations, Chris Heck has announced the strengthening of the club’s leadership team with four new appointments.

Ron Erskine, a seasoned commercial executive with 35 years’ experience in sports business, has joined as the club’s Chief Commercial Officer.

Erskine’s portfolio includes spells at global sports marketing agency, Octagon, as well as the NBA, the New York Red Bulls in MLS and most recently at CSM Sport and Entertainment where he was responsible for the commercial programmes at the US Open Tennis Championships and the WTA Tour.

Following Ron into Villa Park, Ben Hatton joins as Chief Operating Officer. A chartered accountant, Ben brings 25 years of international football experience to the team. He spent 10 years at Manchester United, AS Roma and most recently Blackpool FC where, as Managing Director, he was responsible for the transition of the club to new, stable ownership.

Richard Stevens has been appointed as the club’s Vice President, Strategy and Analytics where he joins from global mobility app, Free Now, having also spent six years consulting at KPMG.

And, completing the line-up of new hires, is Ryan Disdier. Ryan arrives as Vice President, Content and Digital. An experienced social media executive, Ryan has worked with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Washington Wizards in the NBA as well as the Washington Commanders in the NFL.

Elsewhere, Club Ambassador and former player, Ahmed Elmohamady, is now working closely with the club’s commercial department in a full-time capacity.

Chris Heck, President of Business Operations, said of the appointments: “I’m delighted to be able to welcome four fantastic operators in their respective fields to the senior leadership team at Villa Park. And, of course, bring Elmo back to the club in an official role.

“This has been a thoughtful process, looking at areas we could strengthen our existing management structure, and I’m excited we now have a team in place that can help project this great football club forward as we embark on the next leg of our exciting journey.

“It’s time to awaken this sleeping giant of a football club – both on and off the pitch – and our supporters have every right to feel excited about what the future holds. Aston Villa is a huge, historic institution that is on the rise again.”