David Gill (football executive)

David Gill
Born	David A. Gill (1957-08-05) August 5, 1957 Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom
Nationality	British
Occupation	Accountant
Known for	chief executive of Manchester United F.C.
Predecessor	Peter Kenyon
Board member of	The Football Association
Children	Adam, Oliver and Jessica

David A. Gill (born 5 August 1957) is British football executive, currently Chief Executive of Manchester United F.C. and a member of The Football Association's board. He served as vice-chairman of the G-14 management committee before the G-14 disbanded.

Career

Born in Reading, Berkshire, Gill qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse in 1981. After a two-year spell in San Francisco, he left the firm in 1986 to join The BOC Group in its corporate finance department, and then Avis Rent A Car System in 1990. At Avis he was responsible for the disposal of the European leasing business to GE Capital for US$1 billion in August 1992. Subsequently he was Finance Director at Proudfoot PLC, the worldwide management consulting business, then quoted on the London Stock Exchange, and then at First Choice Holidays PLC, the third largest UK tour operator, before joining Manchester United F.C. in 1997.

Manchester United

Gill joined Manchester United PLC in 1997 as Finance Director. In August 2000, he was promoted to Deputy Chief Executive whilst retaining his Finance Director responsibilities. In July 2001, Nick Humby was appointed Finance Director of Manchester United PLC, so Gill was promoted again this time to the title of Group Managing Director, allowing him to concentrate on managing the day-to-day operations of the business (including sponsorship & marketing, business development, financial services, conference & catering, ticketing & membership and group property).

In September 2003, after the departure of previous Chief Executive Peter Kenyon to Chelsea F.C., Gill was promoted to Chief Executive of Manchester United PLC. In 2005, he was appointed Chief Executive of the private limited company, Manchester United Ltd, that succeeded Manchester United PLC after the takeover by Malcolm Glazer.

Gill was also vice-chairman of the management committee of the now defunct G-14, an organisation of leading European football clubs.

The Football Association

On 2 June 2006, Gill was elected onto the board of The Football Association, replacing Arsenal F.C. vice-chairman David Dein.

Gill said he was delighted to be working with the other board members of the Football Association. One of the first issues he had to deal with was the "club-vs.-country" row over Wayne Rooney's foot at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He is reportedly one of the favourites to replace Brian Barwick as the FA's chief executive.

Personal life

Gill has two sons, Adam and Oliver and a daughter, Jessica, 13. Oliver is seventeen years old and has recently signed a professional contract with Manchester United F.C.