‘Unquestionable ability’ – Key Brighton man signs bumper new long-term contract

Paul Barber has signed to a new long-term contract with Albion until 2030. The club’s deputy chairman and CEO has presided over more than a decade of steady improvement, as well as the most successful period on the pitch in our history.

Barber joined Albion in 2012 from MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps, having previously held senior positions at Tottenham Hotspur and The Football Association, and has supervised an incredible 12 years.

During that time, the club was promoted from the EFL Championship, established itself in the Premier League, and qualified for European competition for the first time in its 123-year history.

Off the pitch, Paul oversaw the renewal of the club’s multi-year partnership agreement with American Express, the expansion of the American Express Stadium from 22,000 to 32,000 seats, including the introduction of an innovative new Tunnel Club earlier this season, and the opening and recent expansion of the American Express Elite Football Performance Center.

The club has also transitioned to a full-time women’s and girls’ football operation, won promotion to the Women’s Super League, and invested in world-class training ground infrastructure for its women’s and girls’ teams, with the ultimate goal of constructing a stadium for its senior women’s team in Brighton.

Chairman Tony Bloom stated, “Paul’s professionalism, drive, and loyalty, along with his indisputable competence, make him one of the most renowned senior executives in world sports. We are overjoyed to have him here for the long term to deliver on an exciting new vision.”

Barber went on to say, “I’ve loved every minute of my 12 seasons at Brighton, and while there have been many great occasions, achieving European qualification has to be one of the highlights of my experience working in professional football.

“The challenge now is to continue that incredible progress and growth of the club, with our clear ambition to be regularly challenging the bigger and more-established Premier League clubs and to be competing for the European places.”