Who’s who of Sunderland’s board: From Kyril Louis-Dreyfus to record-breaking politician
Sunderland’s hierarchy is as stable as it’s ever been.
Spirits are high in the North-East, with Sunderland’s 0-0 draw vs Crystal Palace an indication of their progress in the Premier League.
Sunderland have consistently defied expectations this season, and have many signings to thank for this, with Granit Xhaka leading in midfield, and Robin Roefs making crucial saves to keep Sunderland in close-fought matches.
The transfer window saw Sunderland have a net spend of over £100million, with the board remaining ambitious throughout the summer as 15 new players came through the door.
With that in mind, Mackem News has assessed the key members of the Sunderland boardroom.
Kyril Louis-Dreyfus – Chairman and controlling shareholder
Louis-Dreyfus has been involved in football for most of his life, with his parents being former owners of Marseille.
As the chairman, he makes all the key decisions involving the club, and he is focused on bringing long-term success and stability to the club.
- February 2021 – Becomes minority shareholder of Sunderland
- June 2022 – Increased his shares to 51 per cent
- May 2023 – Bought out Stewart Donald’s remaining shares to increase his stake in the club to 64%
Many Sunderland fans were thrilled with this news, and Louis Dreyfus did not disappoint, with it taking under five years to gain two promotions from League One to the Premier League.
His takeover marked the end of Sunderland’s financial struggles, and at 27 years old, he is currently the youngest chairman in English football.
Juan Sartori – Co-owner and Non-Executive Director
Sartori co-owns Sunderland alongside Louis Dreyfus, holding a 36% share in the club.
He has been involved with Sunderland since 2018 and increased his stake to take full control of the club, alongside Louis-Dreyfus, in 2023.
He also serves as a member of the club’s Board of Directors and contributes to the strategic direction of the club, yet plays no role in the day-to-day management.
Sartori also has a stake in AS Monaco from France, where he serves as a board member and is Vice-President of the club.
The 44-year-old politician has recently been made a Senator in Uruguay, making history in becoming the youngest member of the national house as he represents the Uruguay National Party.
Simon Vumbaca and Leo Pearlman
Both figures have been appointed as non-executive directors, with Vumbaca joining the board in May 2021.
Originally a lawyer, Vumbaca has embarked on sporting ventures in the past; most specifically around Formula 1, Moto GP, and elite athletes.
He is currently a managing partner of ASV Law, and he represented Charlie Methven, Stewart Donald, and Madrox Partners when they bought Sunderland from Ellis Short.
Sunderland fan Pearlman was appointed to the board in 2023, and he owns the production company Fulwell 73.
He was an executive producer on the Netflix series ‘Sunderland ‘Til I Die’, and is currently in the process of building a major film studio in the city.
Read more: Sunderland could get Ruben Amorim sacked as major Manchester United news emerges
Maurice Louis-Dreyfus, Patrick Treuer and Igor Levin
Maurice Louis-Dreyfus is the twin brother of Kyril and joined the board of directors in May 2021.
Estimated to be worth more than £2bn, Louis-Dreyfus had focused on DJing whilst his brother Kyril was going into football.
However, the twins are now united on the Sunderland board, and Louis-Dreyfus’ maverick personality brings something different to the Board of Directors.
Alongside him, Patrick Treuer and Igor Levin have been named as directors, despite being less well-known in the public eye.
Treuer is the chief financial officer of the Louis-Dreyfus Company, whilst Levin is the family lawyer.
Sunderland’s board has undergone a heavy restructuring over the past few years, and the team is currently reaping the rewards.
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest Sunderland news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account –@mackemnews247