Board changes confirmed for end of the season

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Ray Bloom and Peter Godfrey to retire from main board at end of the season

2026-04-02T16:30+01:00

Brighton & Hove Albion’s long‑serving non-executive directors Ray Bloom and Peter Godfrey will retire from the club’s main board at the end of the 2025/26 season.

Robert Comer and Adam Franks, also both long-serving non-executive directors of the club, will become non-executive vice-chairs on 1 June 2026.

In other changes, the club is pleased to announce that Carina Bauer, currently chair of the club’s Foundation and CEO of Brighton-based international travel event and exhibition business IMEX, will join the club’s board as a non-executive director (subject to regulatory approval).

Ray Bloom – Five Decades of Service

Ray Bloom has given five decades of service to the club.

Ray’s unwavering commitment to Brighton & Hove Albion has comprised an extraordinary 42 years as a director, the longest in the club’s history, including a brief period away in the mid‑1990s when he resigned from the board in disagreement with the way the club was being run.

He was invited back to the board following Dick Knight’s takeover, injecting much-needed funds, and has remained a constant and respected presence ever since.

Ray has been an unsung guiding presence in the club’s very survival and subsequent rise.

He was behind crucial initiatives in the 1980s – including the club’s successful Lifeline project, vital in keeping Albion financially afloat during some of the club’s most difficult times.

With the new stadium on the horizon, Ray helped revitalise and drive the Young Seagulls scheme, which saw players visiting local schools and replica shirts gifted to members on their seventh birthday. This has played a significant part in attracting a whole new generation of supporters to the Amex.

Away from football, Ray is a highly respected figure in the local and international business community. His company IMEX is global leader in the travel events sector and was recently recognised as number six in The Times’ Top 100 Best Places to Work.

Ray’s contribution will be recognised with the title of honorary life president of the club, joining former chairman Dick Knight.

Peter Godfrey – Financial and Commercial Leadership

Peter Godfrey joined the main board soon after leaving American Express in 2010 and has been a valued and influential presence ever since.

Peter’s expertise, vision and energy have been a key part of the transformation of the club's commercial journey.

From being a key driver of the landmark American Express Stadium naming rights deal to recent innovations such as The Terrace, Peter has been a crucial part of our club’s success.

Peter enjoyed a distinguished career in the financial services sector, most recently with many fruitful years leading businesses within American Express having joined the club’s long-term partner from HSBC.

He was invited to join the club’s main board soon after leaving American Express in 2010 and has been a valued and influential presence ever since, bringing a unique blend of business insight, commercial acumen and unwavering support across the club.

Peter is also an entrepreneur, property developer, business mentor, professional squash coach and now author, after he released his book PG Tips last year, sharing his vast wealth of experience from a stellar career.

The club will recognise his 16 years as a director with the newly established Peter Godfrey Innovation Award, to be presented annually at the End of Season Awards, celebrating outstanding creativity and forward‑thinking across the club from staff, fans or members of the community.

Peter will be honoured with the title of business ambassador, where he will continue to support and provide advice to the club’s commercial and marketing teams.

Tribute

Chairman Tony Bloom paid tribute to both long-standing board members, saying, “Ray and Peter have given so much to this football club for so many years, and we owe both a huge debt of gratitude.

“Like me, Ray has the Albion in his DNA as he inherited that same love for the club from his father, my grandfather Harry. I know my grandfather would be immensely proud of what Ray has done for our club.

“Few will know that his loyalty, humility and quiet determination, alongside others, helped keep the club alive when times were incredibly tough and his ideas and initiatives continue to benefit us today.

“Peter has been a trusted voice around the boardroom table for many years. His experience, perspective and sheer presence have helped guide the club through some of its biggest moments.

“Peter has a unique combination of skills - his vast experience in the most senior roles in American Express and HSBC is coupled with his commercially successful entrepreneurial career. This has been invaluable to both me and my fellow board members throughout his time on the board.

Carina Bauer, currently chair of the club’s Foundation, will join the club’s board as a non-executive director.

“I am also thrilled to welcome Carina to the board. Her experience and skill set will be a huge asset to the board and the club, and her appointment continues our commitment to ensuring the club is represented at the highest level by talented, diverse and forward‑thinking leaders.

“Similarly, I am delighted Robert and Adam will be taking on the roles of non-executive vice-chairs. As we evolve the composition of our club’s main board to support our vision for 2030, they provide an important level of consistency and club knowledge stretching back many years.”