Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell to step down in summer after 17 years

Celtic’s chief executive, Peter Lawwell, is to retire in the summer after 17 years with the Scottish Premiership champions.

The 61-year-old will step down at the end of June after overseeing a period of success that has seen the club win 29 trophies, including 13 league titles.

Scottish Rugby’s chief operating officer, Dominic McKay, will take over from Lawwell in July.

Lawwell, a divisive figure among Celtic’s support, said: “It has been an enormous privilege to have served the club and our supporters for more than 17 years – a wonderful honour to have been part of an institution I have loved and supported all my life.

“I will always be very proud of what we have achieved together and it has been a particular privilege to be involved throughout a period in the club’s history which has brought immense domestic success – as well as so many great European nights at Celtic Park.”

Celtic, the nine-in-a-row champions, are 23 points behind league the leaders Rangers with three games in hand.

Lawwell said: “I first discussed the possibility of my retirement with the chairman last year and we were keen to ensure an orderly handover to a new CEO once we had found the right candidate.

“Now that the process to select Dominic McKay as my successor is complete, I feel the time is now right to announce my retirement at the end of this season.”

McKay leaves Scottish Rugby after 13 years, having been appointed as director of communications and public affairs in January 2008 and become chief operating officer in 2015.

source: theguardian.com