Swansea City: Julian Winter named chief executive after Trevor Birch joins Tottenham
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Trevor Birch has also held executive positions at Chelsea, Leeds United and Everton
Swansea City have named Julian Winter as their new chief executive following the departure of chairman Trevor Birch.
Winter has previously been chief executive at Sheffield United, Watford and Huddersfield Town.
"I look forward to getting started at the club on a day-to-day basis, meeting the staff across the club and helping lead Swansea City to a successful future on and off the field," he said.
Birch has left Swansea to take up a new role at Tottenham Hotspur.
He stood down after 17 months as Swans chairman to become the Premier League club's new director of football operations.
Swansea moved swiftly to appoint Winter, who will take up his role later this month.
A Swansea ownership statement said: "We are pleased to welcome Julian as the club's new chief executive.
"As part of the appointment process we received significant positive input from many constituencies within the club and those who have worked with him at his prior clubs.
"His extensive industry experience and collaborative leadership style will be a valued addition as we embark on this next chapter."
Winter, who has also worked for Notts County, spent three-and-a-half years at Huddersfield, during which time the Terriers earned promotion to the Premier League.
A former Huddersfield player, he left the Yorkshire club last season citing the need for a fresh challenge.
Birch, 62, was appointed Huw Jenkins' successor by Swansea's American owners in March 2019.
He was given day-to-day control of the Championship club having been brought in to help restructure finances following relegation from the Premier League in 2018.
"I am leaving Swansea with an extremely heavy heart,'' Birch said.
"I arrived at the club at a very difficult time, but I hope I have provided professionalism, stability and a solid foundation internally which will stand the club in good stead going forwards.
"Steve Cooper, his staff and the players have given us all some great moments this season which will live long in the memory.
"I also can't thank the supporters enough for the kindness and support they have shown me over the last 17 months, and I wish the Jack Army and the club every success going forward. The supporters deserve it."
Confirming Birch's appointment, Tottenham said: "Trevor has extensive industry experience and has held several prominent roles within football."
Ex-Chelsea and Everton chief executive Birch is the second high-profile departure from Swansea's hierarchy in the last three months after club legend Leon Britton stood down from his sporting director role in June.
The changes come a month after Swansea announced "significant investment" from businessman Jake Silverstein, who has also joined the club's board.
"We have enjoyed working with Trevor and we understand during these unprecedented times the desire to be closer to home and family in London," a Swansea ownership statement said.
"Trevor will be missed and we would like to thank him for his work on behalf of the club over the past 17 months.
"Moving forward, we have great confidence in our management team to continue the momentum we have built heading into the coming season as we work on a new management leadership structure.''
Swansea City Supporters' Trust said it was disappointed with Birch's departure and described it as "a particularly frustrating turn of events."
"The trust has repeatedly warned of the challenges that our club will be facing over the coming months. To lose the chairman at this time, and the speed with which it has happened, is obviously unhelpful," it said.
Birch earned praise for his work at Swansea, where he oversaw the sales of Daniel James to Manchester United and Oliver McBurnie to Sheffield United for a combined £35m to significantly reduce losses.
He appointed former England Under-17 coach Cooper, who led Swansea to last season's Championship play-offs.