Newcastle United’s Chief Commercial Officer Peter Silverstone Placed on Gardening Leave Ahead of Exit
Newcastle United are set to part ways with their Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Silverstone, who has been placed on gardening leave as he prepares to leave St James’ Park.
According to reports from The Mail, Silverstone will pursue a new opportunity overseas, marking the end of his tenure with the club after just over three years of service.
His departure comes as a surprise to many within the football industry, given his extensive experience and key role in driving the Magpies’ commercial growth in recent years.
Silverstone joined Newcastle United in October 2022, bringing with him nearly two decades of commercial expertise in football. Before arriving on Tyneside, he served as Senior Vice President of Global Development at OneFootball, one of the world’s largest football media platforms.
In that position, he oversaw a wide-ranging network of partnerships involving clubs, leagues, federations, and players. His experience made him a valuable asset to Newcastle’s new ownership, who were eager to strengthen the club’s global brand and commercial operations following the Saudi-backed takeover.
Prior to his role at OneFootball, Silverstone spent close to seven years at Arsenal, where he held several senior roles, including Business Development Director, Commercial Director, and eventually Chief Commercial Officer.
His time in North London was defined by several major achievements. He was instrumental in negotiating and launching Arsenal’s lucrative partnership with Adidas and securing the sleeve sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda.
He also oversaw significant growth in Arsenal’s e-commerce business, helping the club expand its digital presence and merchandise reach.
One of Silverstone’s standout contributions at Arsenal was leading the club’s collaboration with Amazon for the All or Nothing documentary series, which offered fans a behind-the-scenes look at the team’s operations and became a global hit.
Additionally, he championed the commercial growth of Arsenal Women, ensuring more women’s matches were held at the Emirates Stadium during the 2021/22 season a move that boosted visibility and engagement for the women’s game.
His leadership extended beyond club level, as Silverstone represented Arsenal on various Premier League, FA, and European Club Association committees.
He managed a large commercial team of more than 150 people across departments such as retail, licensing, partnerships, marketing, and digital experience.
Born in Glasgow and a law graduate from Edinburgh University, Silverstone began his professional career at Morgan Stanley in investment banking before transitioning into sports marketing.
His early work with Pitch International saw him lead the Brasil Global Tour project, which handled the organization and commercialization of Brazil’s international friendly fixtures worldwide a project that built his reputation as one of the most innovative commercial minds in football.
When he joined Newcastle, Silverstone expressed excitement about helping the club achieve sustainable success both in England and Europe. “I am delighted and honoured to join Newcastle United as the club embarks on its exciting journey to build a sustainable, leading Premier League and European club,” he said upon his appointment.
“I am committed to immersing myself in the heritage and culture of this giant club and the vibrant city of Newcastle while building and leading a talented and diverse commercial operation that will deliver the commercial success vital to power the fans’ and the club’s ambitious growth plans.”
Newcastle CEO Darren Eales praised Silverstone at the time of his appointment, saying, “After an extensive recruitment process, we are confident we have found the right person to work with our team to deliver our commercial growth plans.
He will be a key member of the club’s executive team as we look forward to delivering on the club’s commercial potential.”
Silverstone’s exit marks another significant change within Newcastle’s off-field structure as the club continues its transformation under its ambitious ownership.
His departure may signal a shift in the club’s long-term commercial direction, particularly as Newcastle look to expand their international profile and revenue streams while competing with Europe’s elite.
While details of his new role abroad remain undisclosed, Silverstone leaves behind a legacy of professionalism and innovation. His influence helped shape Newcastle’s evolving commercial identity, laying the groundwork for future growth as the club pushes to establish itself among football’s top global brands.
