Arsenal have confirmed the death of former chairman Sir Chips Keswick at the age of 84.
Keswick, who made his name in banking, joined Arsenal as a director in 2005 and went on to replace Peter Hill-Wood as chairman in 2013.
He spent seven years in control of the team, overseeing four FA Cup triumphs before stepping down shortly after his 80th birthday to spend time with his family and focus his passion on horseracing.
“Sir Chips will be greatly missed by everyone at Arsenal who knew him and we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Lady Sarah and their children David, Tobias and Adam,” Arsenal said at the end of a statement.
Keswick was a lifelong Arsenal fan and described his time at the helm of the club as an “honour” when he announced his retirement in 2020.
He oversaw a run to FA Cup glory in his first year at the helm in 2014 and also lifted the trophy in 2015, 2017 and in his final year in 2020, marking a fitting farewell to a popular period which saw Arsenal regularly competing in the Champions League.
Arsenal never finished outside the top six in the Premier League during Keswick’s seven-year run as chairman.
Upon his retirement, the Gunners declined to name a formal replacement, with the ownership group instead being made up of directors Stan and Josh Kroenke and Lord Harris, as well as executive vice-chair Tim Lewis.
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