Wrexham AFC has announced the retirement of chief executive Michael Williamson following two years with the club, with co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac publishing a joint statement to confirm the decision.
Williamson, who joined the Racecourse Ground in 2024, has resigned with immediate effect, and club director Shaun Harvey will take over as temporary CEO.
The move marks a significant shift for the Championship club, with Williamson having played a critical role in Wrexham’s continuous progress up the English football pyramid, according to Wales Online.
Reynolds and Mac issued a joint statement on behalf of the board on Friday afternoon, praising Williamson for his contributions to the club’s success.
“Since our takeover five years ago, Wrexham have achieved historic success on the pitch and captivated hearts around the world. We remain focused on our most crucial task: making the Wrexham community proud.
“Shaun Harvey has been an integral part of this journey from the beginning, and we know Shaun will give every support to Phil Parkinson and the lads on the pitch while keeping the broader Wrexham community roaring us on.”
Williamson’s departure has not been explained, and the club, which is now 16th in the Championship, has not announced how long Harvey will serve as temporary manager.
Williamson was appointed in May 2024, succeeding Fleur Robinson, as Wrexham prepared for their debut season in League One after consecutive promotions.
He joined with extensive football administrative expertise, having previously held prominent positions at Italian heavyweights Inter Milan, American outfit DC United, and Miami FC.
His appointment was considered as a key step in the club’s future expansion under their Hollywood owners, with Wrexham aiming to improve their commercial operations and international exposure in addition to their impressive on-field progress.
During his stay at the club, Wrexham won promotion from League One to the Championship, capping an incredible run of three consecutive promotions under manager Phil Parkinson.
Harvey, on the other hand, is already well-known at the Racecourse Ground.
The former English Football League chief executive has been engaged with Wrexham since Reynolds and Mac’s ownership began, initially as an adviser in February 2021.
He was formally named to the club’s board of directors in December 2023 and has remained a key presence behind the scenes as Wrexham undergoes restructuring.
Harvey has previously served as Leeds United’s chief executive and Bradford City’s managing director.
xz
