Aston Villa Football Club (AVFC) has today announced that Chris Heck, President of Business Operations, has made the decision to move back to the United States to be closer to his family at the end of the 2024/25 season and will not renew his contract with AVFC.
Heck joined Aston Villa in May 2023, bringing 30 years of sports industry experience to the Club, including 9 years as President of the Philadelphia 76ers, a National Basketball Association franchise. Heck has played an important role in driving the growth of Aston Villa’s business and commercial operations.
Nassef Sawiris, Chairman of AVFC said: “We would like to thank Chris for his vision and leadership over the last two years.
"Through strategic partnerships, sponsorships, refurbished hospitality spaces and much more, he has helped establish AVFC as a world-class operation and commercial success. We wish him all the best in all his future endeavours.”
Chris Heck said: “Aston Villa is one of the best clubs in the world, and I am grateful to have had an opportunity to contribute to their success over the past two years.
"From the beginning, we laid out a clear strategic road map, and I am so happy with the unrivalled progress we have made on that plan. In doing so, we have built a world-class team off the pitch to match the one that Unai Emery has built on it. I am an Aston Villa fan for life and look forward to seeing the Club continue to make history.”
Heck will remain in his position as President of Business Operations until the end of the season. The Club has started the search for Heck’s successor with a new appointment expected ahead of the commencement of the 2025/26 season.
