Leeds United have reshuffled their boardroom with two new faces from 49ers Enterprises as Rudy Cline-Thomas steps back from his role as vice-chairman
Two new faces have been promoted to Leeds United’s boardroom from the 49ers Enterprises ranks, with one rising to vice-chairman at Elland Road. Andrew Schwartzberg and Eugene Schneur will take seats at the top of the club alongside Paraag Marathe, Angus Kinnear and Peter Lowy.
As first reported by The Athletic, Schwartzberg will become Marathe’s deputy as Rudy Cline-Thomas, one of the single biggest investors in the 49ers group, steps back from his Leeds role. The two new appointments have each had highly successful careers in the USA’s affordable housing sector.
Schwartzberg is also part of the majority ownership group at NBA franchise Charlotte Hornets, while Schneur, a former lawyer who is now an investor, moved to the United States as a young child from the former Soviet Union. In 2003, he and former New York Mets baseball player Mo Vaughn launched a real estate company.
A Leeds spokesperson, via The Athletic, said: “Welcoming Andrew and Gene to the Leeds United board is an exciting moment for the club. They are experts in running successful businesses and will bring unique perspectives on how to run Leeds United.
“There is full confidence that they will be valued members of the club and community and provide additional momentum as the journey back to the Premier League continues.”
Cline-Thomas will remain one of the investors within the 49ers group, but has stepped back from his frontline role.
A bio for Schwartzberg on the club website says: “Andrew has built a career preserving affordable housing communities throughout the United States. Through his companies Pennant Housing Group, SSC Partners, The Affordable Housing Management Group, and Subsidized Rental Housing Investments, he has collectively held an interest in over 25,000 low-and-moderate income rental housing units.
“He is also an active personal investor in public and private companies with a focus on the healthcare and biotech industries. He is also a part of the majority ownership group of the Charlotte Hornets, in the NBA.
“Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Andrew held various investment banking and hedge fund leadership positions with Schroder Wertheim, Inc., SAC Capital Management, Inc. and Convergent Wealth Advisors. Andrew is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.
“Andrew and his wife, Jaime, live in Pacific Palisades, CA. They have three daughters, are active in their communities, are major supporters of numerous charities, and are avid art collectors.”
