A New Chapter at the Amex: Paul Barber Becomes Co-Owner of Brighton & Hove Albion
In a move that has sent ripples of excitement and reassurance through the club, Brighton & Hove Albion announced a significant change to its ownership structure. The club’s long-serving Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive, Paul Barber OBE, has acquired newly issued shares, making him the second-largest shareholder behind majority owner and chairman Tony Bloom.
The announcement, made on Friday, August 29, 2025, sees Barber solidify his commitment to the club he has helped transform over the past 13 years. While his shareholding of 1.5% is a minority stake, it represents a profound show of faith and a recognition of his invaluable contributions to the Seagulls’ rise.
Tony Bloom, a figure revered by Brighton fans for his visionary leadership, expressed his delight at the development. “Paul has been exceptional in his role as deputy chairman and chief executive, and we are thrilled that he has further strengthened his commitment to the club with this investment,” Bloom said in a statement. “I regard Paul as the best chief executive in football and I am delighted he is now a co-owner of the club.”
The sentiment is echoed by many who have witnessed the club’s remarkable journey under the joint stewardship of Bloom and Barber. Since his arrival in 2012, Barber has been a driving force behind Brighton’s success, overseeing the move to the state-of-the-art American Express Community Stadium and, crucially, the club’s promotion to the Premier League. His business acumen and strategic vision have been instrumental in establishing Brighton as a model of financial stability and smart, data-driven management in the often-volatile world of professional football.
For his part, Paul Barber expressed his gratitude and pride in the new arrangement. “I’m incredibly grateful to Tony and the board for offering me this chance to invest in the club,” he stated. “It is a minority and some way behind Tony’s majority shareholding, but nonetheless I’m very proud indeed to co-own a small part of a football club I’ve come to love.”
The news comes at a time when Brighton continues to thrive, both on and off the pitch. The club’s reputation for astute transfer dealings and a forward-thinking approach has been a constant source of praise. Barber’s investment further reinforces the long-term stability and ambitious outlook that has become a hallmark of the club.
This is not a sudden, seismic shift, but rather a logical and celebrated evolution of a partnership that has already delivered so much. For Brighton supporters, the news of Barber’s new role is a source of immense comfort. It signals a continuity of the leadership and philosophy that has guided the club to its most successful period in history, and it guarantees that the “Brighton way” of doing things—a blend of shrewd business, smart football, and community focus—will continue for many seasons to come. With Bloom and Barber now even more deeply entwined in the club’s future, the Seagulls appear to be in the safest hands possible as they look to build on their achievements and continue their upward traj
ectory.
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