Legends of Football, the annual charity gala in aid of music charity Nordoff and Robbins, has announced that Peter Leathem OBE will take over as Chair from Geoff Shreeves with immediate effect.
As CEO of PPL, Peter brings over 20 years of leadership experience in the music industry and is a long-standing supporter of Legends of Football.
Commenting on the transition, Geoff said: “I am delighted to announce that my good friend and long-term ally of Legends of Football, PPL CEO Peter Leathem OBE, has agreed to succeed me as Chair of Legends of Football with immediate effect. Peter is without doubt not only one of the best-connected people in the music business but also one of the most respected. His support and enthusiasm for Legends of Football is nearly at the same level of his love for West Ham! Peter will work closely with our existing key stakeholders and sponsors to continue to grow the event, and I will continue as presenter and event ambassador.”
After seven years serving as Chair, Geoff will continue in his role as presenter and ambassador. Under his stewardship, Legends of Football has evolved into one of the standout highlights of the sporting calendar.
Emily Philp, Board Director at Bloom, has been promoted to CEO of Legends of Football, having previously been Commercial Director, and Maggie Peal is now Financial Controller and Operations & Events Manager.
Since its inception in 1997, the event has raised around £8.5 million for Nordoff and Robbins. In recent years, it has celebrated some of football’s biggest names – including Fara Williams MBE, Wayne Rooney, Emma Hayes OBE, and Ian Wright OBE – cementing its reputation as one of the most prestigious events in the sports industry.
Peter said he is “honoured to take on the role of Chair and to follow in Geoff’s footsteps,” adding: “Legends of Football has achieved so much under his leadership, not only celebrating the game we love but also raising vital funds for Nordoff and Robbins. I have been attending Legends of Football for over 15 years and seen it go from strength to strength. I look forward to working with Emily, Maggie, Geoff, our Board, and our partners to ensure the event continues to thrive and grow.”
Sandra Schembri, CEO of Nordoff and Robbins, added: “We can’t thank Geoff enough for his unwavering support during his time as Legends of Football Chair and for the millions of pounds he’s been a crucial part of raising, to help more people across the UK connect and communicate through the power of music. We’re incredibly pleased that Peter Leathem OBE has agreed to take over from Geoff as Chair. Peter and PPL have been avid supporters of Nordoff and Robbins for many years and we look forward to continuing our relationship through this spectacular event.”
