West Brom confirm Chinese director Li Piyue as new chairman
Albion have confirmed that Chinese director Li Piyue has been made their new chairman.
The 45-year-old has been owner Guochuan Lai’s representative on the board since the takeover in 2016.
But Li has now officially stepped up to the role of chairman, which has been vacant since John Williams was sacked in February.
The appointment is largely symbolic, and represents Lai’s desire to strengthen his grip on Albion matters following a disastrous season that saw the Baggies relegated.
Chief executive Mark Jenkins will still play the lead role on the board, having been brought back into the club by Lai in February.
Albion have also confirmed that another one of Lai’s business associates, Ke Xu, has been added to the board.
The 29-year-old, who is known as Ken, has been one of the owner’s executive liaisons with the club since 2016, but his role has now been formalised.
Ken is based full-time at the Palm training ground in Walsall with Jenkins while Li spreads his time between Guangzhou, in China, where Lai is based, and the Black Country.
