Baroness Karren Brady has stepped down as vice-chair of West Ham United, drawing the curtain on one of British football’s most enduring executive careers and severing a commercial partnership with joint-chair David Sullivan that has spanned close to four decades.

The 57-year-old peer, broadcaster and businesswoman had served on the Hammers’ board for 16 years. Her exit arrives at a delicate juncture for the Premier League club, where supporter discontent with the boardroom has hardened into a regular feature of matchdays. Chants directed at the ownership rang out again on Sunday evening during the side’s draw at Crystal Palace, the latest in a string of organised protests that have overshadowed a season spent flirting with the relegation places.

For those who have followed Brady’s career since the early 1990s, the decision marks the end of an era. It was Brady, then just 23, who convinced Sullivan to acquire Birmingham City in 1993, taking the managing director’s chair herself and becoming one of the youngest executives to run a professional football club anywhere in Europe. That appointment laid the foundations for a business relationship that has outlasted most in British sport.

In a statement released by the club, Brady said: “It has been a privilege to work alongside the board, management, players, staff and supporters at West Ham United. Together we have achieved remarkable milestones, but the highlight for me will always be lifting the Uefa Europa Conference League trophy, a moment that will stay with me forever. I am deeply grateful for the relationships, challenges and opportunities that have shaped my time at the club.”

She added: “While this chapter closes, my passion for football and commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders remains undiminished. I wish West Ham United every success for the future and look forward to following their continued achievements with pride.”

Brady has drawn heavy criticism from the stands alongside Sullivan this season, with the pair cast by sections of the fanbase as the architects of a prolonged period of under-investment on the pitch. The Hammers currently sit a single place and two points clear of the drop, steadied by the recent appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo as head coach.

A long-serving columnist for The Sun and aide to Lord Sugar on the BBC’s The Apprentice, Brady is understood to be redirecting her attention toward her broader portfolio of business interests and her duties in the House of Lords, while retaining her place in the boardroom of the hit entertainment format.

Her tenure at West Ham will be remembered as much for corporate manoeuvring as for sporting achievement. She was widely regarded as the driving force behind the club’s contentious relocation from Upton Park to the London Stadium in the wake of the 2012 Olympics, a deal that has divided opinion but radically rewired the Hammers’ commercial footprint.

Sullivan paid tribute to his long-time lieutenant, saying: “Karren has been an exceptional leader and a key figure in the club’s development over the years. We wish her every success in her future endeavours and thank her for her outstanding contribution over the past 16 years.”

Joint-chair Daniel Kretinsky, who joined the ownership group in 2021, was similarly effusive. “I want to thank Karren most sincerely for our collaboration since 2021, and for all the work she has done in the past for the club,” he said. “Her contribution to West Ham United’s growth, such as the long-term contract for the London Stadium, shareholders transition and the British record transfer of Declan Rice, has been absolutely essential and not always fully appreciated. Karren is also very highly appreciated in the Premier League leadership community and was an excellent representative of our club there. I wish her the best of luck in all future activities.”

Brady’s departure leaves a sizeable gap at the top of the club, both in terms of institutional memory and Premier League influence. For Sullivan and Kretinsky, the challenge now is twofold: to steady a restive fanbase and to recruit a successor capable of matching her standing in the game’s corridors of power. West Ham United has been contacted for further comment.

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The historic Somerset-based footwear giant has launched ‘Brands now at Clarks’ on its website

Somerset shoemaker Clarks has started selling rival brands for the first time in its history through an online marketplace. The historic company, which has been a presence on the UK high street since 1825, has launched ‘Brands now at Clarks’ on its website.

More than 100 brands, such as major global labels including Adidas and Nike, are now available to buy through the site, as well as other lifestyle products such as clothing and accessories.

The venture marks a major shift for 200-year-old Clarks as it looks to diversify its offering beyond shoes in an increasingly tough retail environment.

Joe Ulloa, vice-president UK & EMEA at Clarks, said: “From the outset, it was essential that every brand partner reflected the values that have defined Clarks for over 200 years – premium quality, comfort and value.

“Brands now at Clarks represent an exciting new chapter for us. It allows us to offer a broader, shopping experience, while staying true to the heritage and trust we’ve built.”

‘Brands now at Clarks’ brings together a portfolio of big names including high-end brands such as Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour and Marc Jacobs. A number of other labels are lined up to join the website in the coming weeks, too, including Armani Exchange, Emporio Armani, Gant, Lacoste, Moose Knuckles, Napapijri, Rains, Timberland and Woolrich.

Clarks was founded by brothers Cyrus and James Clark who opened a tannery making leather goods in 1825. Today the company is a global brand, selling more than 40 million pairs of shoes a year and has more than 1,100 stores.

But the business has faced challenges in recent years amid changing shopping habits and a decline in footfall in physical stores as consumers look to buy more products online. Last year, Clarks was forced to axe more than 1,200 jobs as sales plummeted by nearly £100m.

In September, the company opened a museum in Street, in Somerset, showcasing 200 years of shoemaking. It features hundreds of never-before-seen objects from sheepskin slippers to desert boots, school shoes to Britpop stagewear.

Shares of Adani Power have been on a strong run this month, surging as much as 37% over 13 sessions. The rally in Adani Power shares has made it the most valuable company within the Adani Group, with a market capitalisation of Rs 3.93 lakh crore, surpassing Adani Ports at Rs 3.70 lakh crore.

Part of the diversified Adani Group, Adani Power is India’s largest private thermal power producer. The company has a total generation capacity of 18,110 MW across thermal plants in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu, along with a 40 MW solar project in Gujarat.

Time to book profits or double down on Adani Power shares?

Adani Power share price is exhibiting a strong continuation of its primary uptrend, supported by a clear alignment of moving averages (short-term above medium and long-term), indicating sustained bullish momentum. After a healthy consolidation phase, the stock has witnessed a decisive breakout with expanding volumes, signalling fresh participation. The recent sharp upmove toward the Rs 190–200 zone in the Adani Power share price reflects strength, though the steep rally also suggests near-term overextension, Ajit Mishra, senior vice president at Religare Broking said. Also read: PNB Housing Finance soars 10% post Q4 results: Why Morgan Stanley, other brokerages remain bullish

Momentum indicators are trending higher but approaching overbought territory, which may lead to brief consolidation or minor pullbacks. Immediate support is placed around Rs 170–175, followed by a stronger base near Rs 150. As long as the price holds above these levels, the bias remains positive, and dips are likely to be bought into, with potential for further upside continuation.
Ruchit Jain, vice president of technical research at Motilal Oswal, said Adani Power share price had recently given a breakout from its long consolidation phase with good volumes. This, along with the positive momentum across the Adani Group stocks, has led to strong buying interest in the counter. Traders with existing long positions should hold and continue to ride the trend, while any declines in the near term can be seen as buying opportunities.
From a fundamental perspective, the surge comes amid rising power demand. JM Financial noted in a recent report that power demand had peaked in early March, but an unusual western disturbance from March 20 disrupted the trend. A massive cloud cover stretching nearly 1,000 km from Afghanistan through Pakistan into India brought widespread rainfall and unseasonably cool weather. With this cloud system now receding from North India, experts expect a return of hotter conditions, which could drive a fresh surge in power demand.
“All in all, we anticipate a shortfall in hydro generation (negative for NHPC, SJVN), spike in coal-fired generation (positive for NTPC, Adani Power), extension of Section-11 (Tata Mundra) and high merchant prices (Adani Green, Adani Power),” the domestic brokerage concluded.

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Over the weekend, the company announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Adani Atomic Energy has incorporated its subsidiary Coastal-Maha Atomic Energy, furthering its nuclear ambitions.

At about 11:10 am, Adani Power shares were trading at Rs 204, higher by 1.5% from the last close on the BSE.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)