Who is Celtic's Peter Lawwell? Four things to know about Sunderland chief exec contender

A new name was today linked with the vacant chief executive position at Sunderland after Margaret Byrne's resignation a month ago.
Peter LawwellPeter Lawwell
Peter Lawwell

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell is reported to be on the list of candidates after holding down that role for the last 12-and-a-half years at Parkhead.

But who is Lawwell? Here are four things to know about the 56-year-old.

1. Financial reputation

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Trained accountant Lawwell is known for balancing the books after immediately tackling Celtic's debt when he took charge and taking the club into profit.

The Hoops are expected to register another profit for this financial year after selling centre-half Virgil van Dijk for £10million last summer.

2. Influence throughout football

Lawwell is a member of both the Scottish FA board and the European Club Association’s executive board

3. Attracted interest from elsewhere

Lawwell was linked with taking up the chief executive position at Arsenal back in 2008.

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But the speculation never materialised into a move, with boyhood Celtic fan Lawwell stressing his happiness to remain in Scotland.

4. Business background

Lawwell has held some high-powered roles in the business world, which is thought to be one of the criteria Sunderland are looking for.

He was chief executive of Scottish Coal and also held senior management positions with ICI and US pharmaceutical giant Hoffman-La-Roche.