Delia Smith to step down as Norwich director

Delia Smith has been a shareholder in Norwich since 1996

Delia Smith and husband Michael Wynn Jones will cut their stake in Norwich City to 10% and step down as directors next year.

They have reached an agreement with American investors Norfolk FB Holdings, who currently match the 40.4% owned by the couple, to increase their holding to around 85%.

The group are led by Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, who first joined the Canaries’ board in September 2022.

The deal is subject to board and shareholder approval and will go through on 1 March, 2025 if agreed.

Attanasio’s group initially bought a 15.9% stake in Norwich before their investment was raised in April, when they became joint majority shareholders.

The deal does not involve payment to Smith and Wynn Jones, both 83, and will see them step down from the club’s board they first joined in 1996.

They will become honorary life presidents of the club.

“Delia and Michael have always been clear that they would act in the best interests of the club when passing on stewardship of it,” the club said in a statement.

“By structuring the agreement in this way the parties have secured the long-term financial security of the club.”

Norwich, who lost in the Championship play-off semi-final last season, began their new campaign with a 2-0 defeat at newly-promoted Oxford.