Last updated: 8 September 2026
West Ham United are approaching a major ownership change after Daniel Křetínský agreed a deal that is set to make him the club’s single largest shareholder.
The Czech businessman currently owns 27 per cent of West Ham through 1890s Holdings, according to the club’s formally published ownership figures.
David Sullivan remains listed with 38.8 per cent, the Gold Family Trust with 25.1 per cent and WHU LLC with eight per cent.
Those figures have not yet formally changed.
However, West Ham have confirmed that Křetínský has agreed transactions which, once completed, will make him the club’s largest individual shareholder.
The expected new structure would give Křetínský approximately 46 per cent of West Ham.
West Ham ownership at a glance
West Ham’s current officially published ownership structure remains:
| Shareholder | Officially listed stake |
|---|---|
| David Sullivan | 38.8% |
| 1890s Holdings / Daniel Křetínský | 27.0% |
| Gold Family Trust | 25.1% |
| WHU LLC | 8.0% |
| Other investors | 1.1% |
The club’s current ownership page still lists those percentages.
That is important because the latest Křetínský agreement has been announced but has not yet reached formal completion.
West Ham stated that Křetínský had reached an agreement to acquire enough shares to become the club’s single largest shareholder, with further detail expected once all transactions have been completed. ReadWestHam has already explained the final hurdle in Křetínský’s West Ham ownership deal.
Who is West Ham’s biggest shareholder?
Officially, David Sullivan remains West Ham’s largest shareholder for now.
The club’s published ownership register lists Sullivan with 38.8 per cent and Křetínský with 27 per cent.
That position is set to change.
West Ham have confirmed that Křetínský has agreed a transaction that will make him the club’s single largest shareholder once completed. ReadWestHam covered the confirmation of Křetínský’s agreement when the club broke its silence.
The expected outcome reported around the deal is:
| Shareholder | Expected stake after completion |
|---|---|
| Daniel Křetínský | Around 46% |
| David Sullivan | Around 40% |
| J Albert Smith / associated holding | Around 11% |
| Other investors | Remaining minority holding |
The precise completed structure should not be treated as formal until West Ham update their ownership information.
Is Daniel Křetínský West Ham’s majority owner?
No.
Even if Křetínský’s stake rises to approximately 46 per cent, that would make him West Ham’s largest shareholder, not a majority shareholder.
A majority holding would require more than 50 per cent of the shares.
That distinction matters because some reporting around the ownership process has described Křetínský as West Ham’s prospective majority owner.
West Ham’s own wording has instead been that he will become the single largest shareholder.
The deal represents a major shift in power at London Stadium without giving one individual outright majority ownership.
What happened to Amanda Staveley’s West Ham deal?
Amanda Staveley had agreed a provisional deal with Vanessa Gold to acquire the Gold family’s 25.1 per cent stake.
However, existing West Ham shareholders held pre-emption rights allowing them to purchase those shares before an outside buyer could complete the transaction.
That process ultimately produced an agreement which is now expected to increase the holdings of Křetínský and other existing shareholders instead.
It represents a major complication for Staveley’s attempt to acquire a direct stake in West Ham.
The situation may not necessarily end her longer-term interest in the club.
Hammers News reported on 8 September that Staveley is expected to maintain her interest even after the current transaction is completed, although there is presently no new agreed deal giving her West Ham shares.
Any future Staveley involvement should therefore be treated separately from the transaction currently awaiting completion.
When will the West Ham ownership deal be completed?
The agreement still needs to be formally completed.
Hammers News reports that the relevant shareholders have been given until Friday 11 September to make the payments required under the latest stage of the process.
West Ham themselves have been more cautious and have said they will make no further comment until all transactions are complete.
That means supporters should distinguish between three stages:
Agreement: Completed.
Payment and transaction completion: Still pending.
Official ownership register update: Still pending.
Until those final stages take place, West Ham’s published ownership page continues to show Sullivan with 38.8 per cent and Křetínský with 27 per cent.
Who runs West Ham day to day?
Shareholding and the daily running of West Ham are not the same thing.
The club currently lists Daniel Křetínský and Vanessa Gold as Joint-Chairs.
Karim Virani is West Ham’s interim chief executive officer, with Andy Mollett serving as chief financial officer.
The current board listed by the club is:
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Daniel Křetínský | Joint-Chair |
| Vanessa Gold | Joint-Chair |
| Karim Virani | Interim Chief Executive Officer |
| Andy Mollett | Chief Financial Officer |
| J Albert Smith | Non-Executive Director |
| Daniel Harris | Non-Executive Director |
West Ham’s current leadership structure is confirmed on the club’s official Who’s Who page.
David Sullivan remains a major shareholder but is no longer responsible for the club’s daily operation.
He stepped down as a director and co-chair in June 2026 and subsequently stated that he was no longer involved in running West Ham.
ReadWestHam previously examined Sullivan’s current West Ham role following those comments.
Who is Daniel Křetínský?
Křetínský is a Czech businessman who first became a significant West Ham shareholder in November 2021.
His investment vehicle, 1890s Holdings, acquired 27 per cent of the club.
His influence has subsequently increased and he now serves as Joint-Chair.
The 2026 ownership process marks the most significant change to his West Ham position since that initial investment.
An earlier proposal involving Vanessa Gold could have increased his holding before that transaction failed to complete.
Gold later agreed terms with Staveley’s consortium, triggering another ownership process through West Ham’s existing shareholder rights.
The eventual outcome appears set to leave Křetínský with approximately 46 per cent and the strongest individual shareholding at the club.
How has West Ham ownership changed?
West Ham’s modern ownership structure has changed considerably since David Sullivan and David Gold took control in 2010.
The key developments include:
2010: Sullivan and Gold take control of West Ham.
2021: Křetínský acquires a 27 per cent stake.
2023: David Gold dies, with the Gold family interest subsequently represented by Vanessa Gold.
April 2026: Karren Brady leaves her role as vice-chair.
June 2026: Sullivan resigns as co-chair and director.
August 2026: Vanessa Gold agrees a provisional deal involving Staveley for the family’s 25.1 per cent stake.
September 2026: West Ham confirm Křetínský has agreed transactions that will make him the club’s single largest shareholder once completed.
The next major milestone is formal completion.
Once that happens, this page should be updated again immediately with the club’s confirmed new ownership percentages.
West Ham ownership FAQ
Who owns West Ham United?
West Ham have several shareholders. The officially published structure currently lists David Sullivan with 38.8 per cent, Daniel Křetínský’s 1890s Holdings with 27 per cent, the Gold Family Trust with 25.1 per cent, WHU LLC with eight per cent and other investors with 1.1 per cent.
Who is West Ham’s biggest shareholder?
David Sullivan remains the largest shareholder according to West Ham’s current formal ownership figures. Křetínský has agreed a deal which is expected to make him the largest shareholder once the transactions are completed.
How much of West Ham will Daniel Křetínský own?
The agreed transaction is expected to increase Křetínský’s stake to approximately 46 per cent.
Does Daniel Křetínský own a majority of West Ham?
No. A 46 per cent stake would make Křetínský the largest shareholder but would remain below the 50 per cent required for majority ownership.
Is Amanda Staveley buying West Ham?
There is currently no completed deal giving Staveley a stake in West Ham. She had agreed terms to acquire the Gold family’s holding, but the existing shareholder process has instead resulted in Křetínský agreeing to become the club’s largest shareholder.
