Luke Organ departs Aston Villa in major shake-up of club's commercial department
Chief commercial officer Luke Organ has been axed by Villa as part of a major shake-up aimed at boosting the club’s revenue streams.
Organ, who ran Villa on a day-to-day basis at the height of last summer’s financial crisis, departs following an extensive review of the club’s off-field structure by chief executive Christian Purslow.
A successor is expected to be announced in the New Year and will tasked with securing improved commercial deals, in part to help ease the club’s concerns over Financial Fair Play.
Purslow was Chelsea’s commercial director for three years before joining Villa.
The 55-year-old is credited with striking numerous lucrative contracts for the London club, including a £60million-a-year kit sponsorship with Nike.
Villa saw their own revenues plummet following relegation from the Premier League in 2016 and their failure to secure a swift return has only further increased the burden.
Organ joined Villa from Wasps in December 2016 and was instrumental in engineering the club’s current shirt deal with the Luke fashion brand.
He became a prominent figure in the summer, effectively taking over the running of the club for several weeks following the departure of former chief executive Keith Wyness.
Organ also played a key role in the swift takeover by new majority owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, which prevented Villa falling into administration.
Purslow was appointed the club’s new chief executive in late August.
