Collette Roche
Collette Roche | |
|---|---|
| Education | BBA Management with German, Lancaster University |
| Occupations | Chief Executive Officer, New Stadium Development |
| Employer | Manchester United |
Collette Roche is the Chief Executive Officer, New Stadium Development, at Manchester United. She held a number of senior HR positions at large companies before becoming one of the small number of women who hold boardroom roles[1] with Premier League football teams.[2] In 2018, she was listed by Vogue as one of the 25 "most influential women working in Britain".
Career
[edit]Roche grew up in Lancashire, and attended Lancaster University, graduating from BBA Management with German in 1997.[3][1] After her studies, she took up a role in employee relations at Ford Motor Company in Dagenham, as part of the company's HR graduate scheme.[4] In 1999, she moved to Siemens, where she was a HR executive, then in 2002 she became a HR Manager for commercial and international business at United Utilities.[4][5] After seven years at United Utilities, Roche joined Manchester Airports Group, holding positions as chief of staff and acting managing director.[3][6][7][8]
In spring 2018, Roche was appointed Chief Operating Officer at Manchester United.[8][9] and in 2023 was also appointed Chair of the Manchester United Foundation. [10] During her career Roche has also held several non-executive board roles including Northern Powerhouse, Manchester Metropolitan University, JW Lees Brewery[3][7] and was a founding member of the new UK Board of Trade in 2016.[1]
In March 2025, Roche was reported as a leading candidate for the chief executive officer position at Newcastle United, highlighting her growing profile within English football management.[11]
In January 2026, Roche was appointed as Chief Executive Officer, New Stadium Development, at Manchester United. This is a new role in the club, with a focus on the regeneration of Old Trafford. She continues to report to Chief Executive Officer Omar Berrada.[12][13]
Recognition
[edit]- 2015: Ranked at 31 in Northwest Business Insider Women 100 list.[14]
- 2017: Listed as one of "100 inspirational women from Greater Manchester" by the Manchester Evening News.[15]
- 2018: Listed as one of the 25 "most influential women working in Britain" in Vogue.[16][17]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Women in Football - Collette Roche in line to become highest-placed woman in Manchester United's history". womeninfootball.co.uk. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ↑ "Man Utd: Collette Roche to become club's first female chief operating officer". BBC Sport. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- 1 2 3 "The sky's the limit for BBA alumna". lancaster.ac.uk. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- 1 2 "Collette Roche | theHRDIRECTOR - The only magazine dedicated to HR Directors". theHRDIRECTOR. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ↑ Clarke, Jan (August 2017). "The Sky's the Limit". The Cheshire Magazine: 28–32.
- ↑ "Investing in Britain Series". The Telegraph. 8 November 2017. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- 1 2 "Collette Roche: Chief Operating Officer, Manchester United PLC". Bloomberg. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- 1 2 "Collette Roche — Great Exhibition of the North". Great Exhibition of the North. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ↑ "Manchester United appoint first ever female chief operating officer". inews.co.uk. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ↑ Hodgson, Neil (2023-12-15). "Manchester United Foundation announces Board of Trustees appointments | TheBusinessDesk.com". North West. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
- ↑ "Manchester United executive in frame for top Newcastle job". The Telegraph. 28 March 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
- ↑ https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/collette-roche-appointed-man-utd-ceo-new-stadium-development
- ↑ Railston, Steven (2026-01-27). "Man United confirm appointment to oversee 100,000-seater Old Trafford plan". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
- ↑ "New names feature heavily in Women 100 List: 21-40". Insider Media Ltd. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ↑ Begum, Shelina (8 March 2017). "100 inspirational women from Greater Manchester". men. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ↑ Vogue. "The Vogue 25: Meet The Women Shaping 2018". Retrieved 10 October 2018.
- ↑ "Collette Roche". irishtimes.com. Retrieved 11 October 2018.