David Haigh steps down from GFH
Insider Media 10/3/14
Laurence Kilgannon, Yorkshire Correspondent
A central figure in the takeover of Leeds United by GFH Capital (GFHC) has revealed he has stepped down from his role at the Dubai-headquartered private equity firm.
But David Haigh, who led an unsuccessful takeover bid for Leeds United earlier this year, remains managing director of Leeds United.
In a tweet Haigh said he was "sad to leave GFHC but great to work only on Leeds with people that understand what needs to be done".
Haigh hit the headline in 2012 when he fronted GFH Capital's takeover of Leeds United.
Since then, he has overseen a dramatic year at the Championship club which has culminated in the planned acquisition of Leeds by Massimo Cellino.
Haigh had headed a rival bid to buy Leeds United and his group, which also included Enterprise Insurance managing director Andy Flowers, had a deal in place with GFHC to acquire 75 per cent stake through their Sport Capital investment vehicle.
That deal, however, collapsed amid some acrimony with Enterprise going on to issue Leeds with a winding-up petition.
Haigh had passed the Football League's fit and proper person test for directors in 2012 and now the club waits to discover whether Cellino can secure regulatory approval for his takeover to proceed.
GFH has appointed Jinesh Patel as its senior executive officer.
Laurence Kilgannon, Yorkshire Correspondent
A central figure in the takeover of Leeds United by GFH Capital (GFHC) has revealed he has stepped down from his role at the Dubai-headquartered private equity firm.
But David Haigh, who led an unsuccessful takeover bid for Leeds United earlier this year, remains managing director of Leeds United.
In a tweet Haigh said he was "sad to leave GFHC but great to work only on Leeds with people that understand what needs to be done".
Haigh hit the headline in 2012 when he fronted GFH Capital's takeover of Leeds United.
Since then, he has overseen a dramatic year at the Championship club which has culminated in the planned acquisition of Leeds by Massimo Cellino.
Haigh had headed a rival bid to buy Leeds United and his group, which also included Enterprise Insurance managing director Andy Flowers, had a deal in place with GFHC to acquire 75 per cent stake through their Sport Capital investment vehicle.
That deal, however, collapsed amid some acrimony with Enterprise going on to issue Leeds with a winding-up petition.
Haigh had passed the Football League's fit and proper person test for directors in 2012 and now the club waits to discover whether Cellino can secure regulatory approval for his takeover to proceed.
GFH has appointed Jinesh Patel as its senior executive officer.
