Sunderland announce two new appointments to club's board of directors

Sunderland have made two new appointments to the club's board of directors.

Alexandra Louis-Dreyfus and Tom Burwell, who is the Chief Executive of Bia Sports Group, have joined as non-executive directors. A non-executive director is a part-time role without any day-to-day responsibilities, but the pair will attend board meetings and offer guidance and advice to the other directors.

Burwell is the latest figure from the Bia Sports Group to be given increased responsibilities at Sunderland, after Mike Papadimitriou was appointed Chief Financial Officer last year. Bia Sports Group is the company which oversees Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori's sporting portfolio, which includes Sunderland AFC but also their investments in other operations such as supercross and Rugby Sevens.

A statement from the club on the new appointments said: "Sunderland AFC can confirm two new appointments to its Board of Directors.

"Alexandra Louis-Dreyfus and Tom Burwell, Chief Executive Officer of Bia Sports Group, join as of today as Non-Executive Directors. A. Louis-Dreyfus holds a Master’s degree from the University of Chicago and has been a close adviser of the club throughout the last five years. Burwell currently leads the sporting portfolio owned by Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Juan Sartori, having previously held leadership roles in Rugby and Formula 1. Alexandra Louis-Dreyfus is the wife of club chairman, Kyril."

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The appointments follow the death of Patrick Treuer in December.

A club statement paid tribute to Treuer's impact during his time as a non-executive director at the club: "Sunderland AFC is deeply saddened by the passing of Patrick Treuer. One of the Club’s Non-Executive Directors, Patrick had also held the position of Chief Financial Officer of the Louis Dreyfus Company B.V. since 2014.

"Patrick played an active role in SAFC’s journey from League One to the Premier League and he will be greatly missed.

"All at SAFC send their heartfelt condolences to Patrick’s family and loved ones at this immensely difficult time."

Sky Sports presenter David Jones left his role as a non-executive director over the summer. The SAFC Board of Directors is now as follows: Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, Juan Sartori, Alexandra Louis-Dreyfus, Maurice Louis-Dreyfus, Igor Levin, Simon Vumbaca, Leo Pearlman, Tom Burwell.

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