David Bernstein (businessman)
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David Alan Bernstein
CBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...
(born 22 May 1943) is a British business executive who is the chairman of the
British Red Cross The British Red Cross Society () is the United Kingdom body of the worldwide neutral and impartial humanitarian network the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The society was formed in 1870, and is a registered charity with 1 ...
, member of the advisory board at Cogress Ltd and was the former chairman of
French Connection The French Connection was a scheme through which heroin was smuggled from Indochina through Turkey to France and then to the United States and Canada. The operation started in the 1930s, reached its peak in the 1960s, and was dismantled in the 1 ...
. A Chartered Accountant by profession, Bernstein has also been involved in the footballing world and was the chairman of
Manchester City F.C. Manchester City Football Club is a professional football club based in Manchester, England, that competes in the Premier League, the top flight of English football. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's (West Gorton), they became Ardwick Assoc ...
from 1998 to 2003, a period of revival and stability in the club's 130-year history and is generally held in high regard by Manchester City supporters for helping to pull the club out of its nadir. Bernstein is also President of Level Playing Field and Chair of the Centre for Access to Football in Europe. He has been chairman of Wembley Stadium Limited since July 2008, during which he has renegotiated the £341m loan that has ensured the stadium's financial future would be more manageable. Bernstein was the FA chairman from January 2011 until his 70th birthday in May 2013, having been selected as
Lord Triesman David Maxim Triesman, Baron Triesman (born 30 October 1943) is a British politician, merchant banker and former trade union leader. Triesman is a Labour member of the House of Lords. Triesman previously sat as a Labour peer until resigning th ...
's replacement by the FA Council in December 2010. He said that his main priorities as chairman were reducing dissent and increasing respect in English football, establishing closer links with FIFA to gain greater influence in international football and enforcing a fairer playing field financially. In December 2019, Bernstein stepped down as Executive Chairman of
Ted Baker Ted Baker is a British clothing brand founded in 1988 in Glasgow, Scotland, which traded in shops under the Ted Baker name until falling into administration in March 2024. It was relaunched online in November 2024. The brand is styled as 'Ted B ...
.


Manchester City

Bernstein began supporting Manchester City in 1954 and watched the 1956 FA Cup Final between City and
Birmingham City Birmingham City Football Club is a professional football club based in Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, it was renamed Small Heath in 1888, Birmingham in 1905, and Birmingham City in 1943. The team compete in the ...
, despite it coinciding with the day of his
Bar Mitzvah A ''bar mitzvah'' () or ''bat mitzvah'' () is a coming of age ritual in Judaism. According to Halakha, Jewish law, before children reach a certain age, the parents are responsible for their child's actions. Once Jewish children reach that age ...
. He joined Manchester City in 1994 as a board member and replaced outgoing chairman Francis Lee as chairman in 1998. He inherited the role at a time when the once famous team of the 1960 and 70s was an ailing side plummeting into the depths of the
Football League The English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional association football, football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888 as the Football League, it is the oldest football league in Association football around the world, the w ...
. The club reached their nadir when they were relegated to the old
Football League Division Two The Football League Second Division was the second level division in the English football league system between 1892 and 1992. Following the foundation of the FA Premier League, the Football League divisions were renumbered and the third tier ...
in 1998, which was then the third tier of
English football Football is the most popular sport in England. Widely regarded as the birthplace of modern football, the first official rules of the game were established in England in 1863. The country is home to the world's first football league, the oldest ...
– the only time in Manchester City's 130-year history they have been in the third tier. His spell as Manchester City chairman saw five seasons of Manchester City yo-yoing between divisions. The club returned to the Division One via the play-offs in a tense penalty shootout with Gillingham. The first season after being promoted, the club finished 2nd in Division One and were promoted to the Premiership. However they went on to finish 18th and were subsequently relegated. Bernstein brought
Kevin Keegan Joseph Kevin Keegan (born 14 February 1951) is an English former footballer and manager. Nicknamed "King Kev" or "Mighty Mouse", Keegan was recognised for his dribbling ability, as well as his finishing and presence in the air, and is regard ...
in as manager with the task to get City into the top flight and provide the stability to remain there. The club gained promotion in Keegan's first season in charge finishing 1st in Division One, winning by 10 clear points and scoring 101 league goals (more than 2 a game) for the first time since 1957–58 season. Bernstein departed Manchester City and was succeeded as chairman by John Wardle. The exact reason for his departure was believed to be down to "excessive spending", something Bernstein warned Manchester City to be wary of after the financial gambles
Peter Swales Peter Swales (25 December 1932 – 2 May 1996) was a businessman who served as the chairman of Manchester City F.C. from 1973 until 1993. He held a variety of prominent positions within the game of football, including chairman of The Football ...
often took to give City impetus to challenge for trophies.


Successes

However his tenure at Manchester City is fondly looked on by Manchester City supporters, who credit Bernstein for preventing City getting stuck in the lower divisions and providing the necessary back-room clout to give the club stability, while Bernstein upon leaving City thanked his fellow City fans for their support: "''I would like to thank our wonderful fans for their backing. They have been fantastic in their support, which has never wavered even during the most difficult times. I have been touched by their kindness and enthusiasm. I have supported Manchester City since I was a boy and I am desperate for us to succeed.''" * Manchester City Academy – Bernstein agreed to establish an academy with
Jim Cassell James Cassell (born 23 April 1947) is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder, and later worked as the youth academy director at Manchester City. He has been responsible for the development of players such as Shaun Wright-Phillip ...
in charge of the program in 1998. The academy has since garnered a reputation as one of the best in
English football Football is the most popular sport in England. Widely regarded as the birthplace of modern football, the first official rules of the game were established in England in 1863. The country is home to the world's first football league, the oldest ...
has produced more professional footballers than any other
Premier League The Premier League is a professional association football league in England and the highest level of the English football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the English Football Lea ...
club. *The club moved into a new training facility at
Carrington Training Centre Carrington Training Centre, sometimes referred to as Carrington, was the training ground of EFL League Two club Bury, leased from Manchester City. The League Two club moved into this complex in early 2015 when previous holders, Manchester City ...
, whilst the academy used the old Platt Lane training ground nearby
Maine Road Maine Road was a football stadium in Moss Side, Manchester, England, that was home to Manchester City from 1923 to 2003. It hosted FA Cup semi-finals, the Charity Shield, a League Cup final and England matches. Maine Road's highest attenda ...
as a new training facility *Bernstein was heavily involved in negotiations which moved the club from
Maine Road Maine Road was a football stadium in Moss Side, Manchester, England, that was home to Manchester City from 1923 to 2003. It hosted FA Cup semi-finals, the Charity Shield, a League Cup final and England matches. Maine Road's highest attenda ...
to the new 47,000 seater
City of Manchester Stadium The City of Manchester Stadium, currently known as Etihad Stadium for sponsorship reasons, and commonly shortened as The Etihad, is the home of Premier League club Manchester City F.C., Manchester City, with a domestic football capacity of 53, ...
in 2003. The move secured City's long-term future and the stadium's capacity was an attractive asset for prospective owners. The 47,000 seater stadium was believed to a key reason why
Sheikh Mansour Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (; born 20 November 1970), often referred to as Sheikh Mansour, is an Emirati royal and politician who is the current vice president and deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, as well a ...
chose Manchester City to buy while looking for the most suitable football club with potential to advance to the top. *The appointment of the recent England manager,
Kevin Keegan Joseph Kevin Keegan (born 14 February 1951) is an English former footballer and manager. Nicknamed "King Kev" or "Mighty Mouse", Keegan was recognised for his dribbling ability, as well as his finishing and presence in the air, and is regard ...
in 2001, was a major coup considering the club was in the Division One upon Keegan's appointment.


Wembley Stadium Limited

Bernstein took over from Michael Jeffries in July 2008, after the stadium was plagued by years of construction delays and financial mismanagement. Bernstein worked with FA secretary and fellow chartered accountant, Alex Horne and refinanced the £341m loan to secure the stadium's short-term future.


Football Association chairman

Bernstein became chairman of
the Football Association The Football Association (the FA) is the Sports governing body, governing body of association football in England and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Bailiwick of Guernsey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. Formed in 1863, it is the oldest footb ...
on 25 January 2011. The nomination was met with surprise, with many expecting
David Dein David Barry Dein (born 7 September 1943) is a British businessman, known for being a former co-owner and vice-chairman of Arsenal, as well as founding the Premier League. Dein was vice-chairman of Arsenal between 1983 and 2007, and was instru ...
to be promoted as chairman. However some analysts see Bernstein as a "safe pair of hands", and point to business revivals with ailing companies such as
French Connection The French Connection was a scheme through which heroin was smuggled from Indochina through Turkey to France and then to the United States and Canada. The operation started in the 1930s, reached its peak in the 1960s, and was dismantled in the 1 ...
,
Manchester City Manchester City Football Club is a professional association football, football club based in Manchester, England, that competes in the Premier League, the English football league system, top flight of Football in England, English footbal ...
and Wembley Stadium Limited that have given weight to his appointment. Bernstein was appointed
Commander of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...
(CBE) in the
2014 New Year Honours The New Year Honours 2014 were appointments by some of the 16 Commonwealth realms to various orders and honours to recognise and reward good works by citizens of those countries. The New Year Honours are awarded as part of the New Year celebrati ...
for services to football.


Demands for FIFA reform

Bernstein's appointment as chairman followed the failed 2018 World Cup bid in December 2010. Bernstein aimed to foster better relations with the FIFA Executive Committee in an aim to enforce English influence at the top of FIFA. However, accusations of bribery and members suspended on suspicion of corruption at FIFA meant the FA and Bernstein took a tougher stance with FIFA with a demand of reform. Ultimately, the FA abstained from the 2011 FIFA presidential election between incumbent president Sepp Blatter and Mohammed Bin Hammam. Bin Hammam was later suspended by FIFA days prior to the election and the FA demanded that the election would be postponed with only one name on the ballot paper two days prior to the election. With only a day The FA managed to get 17 football associations to support their demand. Other football associations such as Germany also vented their concern at the events unfolding at FIFA as too did FIFA sponsors.


Business interests

Bernstein oversaw the controversial fcuk advertisement campaign at French Connection in 1997. Bernstein sits on the boards of a number of public companies, including fashion label
Ted Baker Ted Baker is a British clothing brand founded in 1988 in Glasgow, Scotland, which traded in shops under the Ted Baker name until falling into administration in March 2024. It was relaunched online in November 2024. The brand is styled as 'Ted B ...
and restaurant chain
Carluccio's Carluccio's is an Italian restaurant chain founded in London in 1999. In 1991, Antonio Carluccio and his then wife opened an Italian food shop, named Carluccio's. In 1999, the first "Carluccio's Caffè" was opened in Market Place, London. T ...
. Bernstein also sits on the advisory board for property investment firm Cogress Ltd.


See also

*
Manchester City F.C. ownership and finances Manchester City F.C., Manchester City Football Club dates back to 1894, when ''Ardwick A.F.C.'' dissolved and was reformed as ''Manchester City Football Club Ltd.'' Over recent years, the state of ownership and finances of Manchester City Footbal ...


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bernstein, David 1943 births Living people People from St Helens, Merseyside Commanders of the Order of the British Empire English businesspeople English Jews Manchester City F.C. directors and chairmen Chairmen of the Football Association English accountants People educated at Christ's College, Finchley Aston Villa F.C. directors and chairmen