Long-serving Tottenham executive Donna-Maria Cullen announces departure
Tottenham Hotspur have announced long-serving executive director Donna-Maria Cullen has stepped down from her position on the board and will leave the club.
Cullen, 62, joined the Tottenham board in 2006 and had worked as an advisor for the club in the 14 years prior to her appointment.
She described her departure as 'such a hard decision', while chairman Daniel Levy praised the 'immense contribution' she has made to the club.
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Cullen is among Spurs' most senior executive directors and is credited with playing a key role in the club's move from White Hart Lane to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Her departure marks the latest change to the Spurs hierarchy ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, with Vinai Venkatesham announced as the club's new CEO in April.
A statement from Cullen read: 'The club has been my life for the past three decades. It has been quite some journey, starting at White Hart Lane, with a brief stay at Wembley and finally our new home — amazing memories home and away. Ending this season with the Europa League Trophy was a dream come true.
'The time is now right for me to gather more time for myself and my family, whom I thank for all their support over the years. I shall spend the coming months ensuring there is a smooth handover with my staff.'
Levy added: 'Donna has made an immense contribution to the club, over an extensive period. Her diverse responsibilities grew significantly and replacing her roles with a single individual will be impossible.
'While many may associate her primarily with marketing and communications, Donna's impact extends far beyond those areas. Notably, her leadership and political acumen at planning committees, was instrumental in the club being able to build one of the finest stadiums and training centres in the world.
'Her daily input will be greatly missed, however she fully deserves to take time for herself, and I know that we shall be able to call upon her advice when needed. We wish her well for the future.'
Levy's Spurs ownership has been the subject of supporter criticism and protest in recent seasons, with anti-Levy banners and chants becoming commonplace at fixtures.
Spurs concluded the season by ending their 17-year wait for a major trophy as they won the Europa League, but finished down in 17th in the Premier League after taking just 38 points in the top-flight.
Analysis from Tottenham Hotspur correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke
The departure of Donna-Maria Cullen is a hugely significant moment for Tottenham Hotspur. She has been integral to the running of the club throughout the ENIC era, which started with the purchase of Alan Sugar's majority shareholding in 2000 and then Daniel Levy becoming chairman in 2001.
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Cullen is a corporate PR specialist who worked for Lord Bell's communications company Chime plc in the 1990s before starting to advise Tottenham. In 2006 she joined the Tottenham board and since then has become one of the most influential people at the club. Along with CFO Matthew Collecott, Cullen has been at Levy's side for decades, anchoring an era of remarkable boardroom stability at Spurs, as the club has grown almost beyond recognition and moved into a new stadium in 2019.
Over the years she has almost always been seen alongside Levy in the directors' box at games. Cullen's responsibilities have included oversight of the club's relations with the media and the outside world.
This was always going to be a summer of profound change for the club on and off the pitch, with the arrival of Venkatesham as CEO. But those changes will now include the departure of one of Levy's most trusted and powerful lieutenants.
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