Chelsea’s behind-the-scenes reshuffle continues with the appointment of Nerissa Chesterfield as the club’s new director of corporate communications and affairs. Chesterfield, who previously served as director of communications under former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, takes on this significant role after the club’s recent executive changes. This marks another step in Chelsea’s broader restructuring efforts, as the club’s ownership group, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, not only overhauls the playing squad with heavy investments and player trades but also focuses on transforming its internal structure and culture.
Chesterfield brings with her a wealth of experience from her time working as a special advisor to Sunak at the Treasury, as well as her earlier work under Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Before her appointment at Chelsea, she had received approval from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACBA), which monitors the employment of former Crown staff. The ACBA granted approval for Chesterfield’s move to Chelsea but with conditions, including a restriction on lobbying the government or any of its associated bodies for the next two years. The ACBA’s review, detailed in a seven-page document, concluded that there were “limited risks” related to her new role at the football club.
In her new position at Chelsea, Chesterfield will be responsible for overseeing the club’s strategic communications, managing day-to-day reactive communications, handling crisis management, and engaging with the media. She will also work closely with the board and the club’s owners to shape and implement Chelsea’s strategic messaging. Her arrival is seen as another step towards strengthening the club’s executive team, following other high-profile hires such as Todd Kline as president of business and Casper Stylsvig as chief revenue officer. These appointments come after the departure of the former CEO Chris Jurasek and the appointment of Jason Gannon to the CEO position.
