Tom Burwell is Chief Executive Officer of Sunderland AFC.

As CEO, Burwell oversees the Club's business operations and works to align them closely with football operations, partnering with ownership, the Director of Football and ExCo so that every decision supports on-pitch success. He leads the Club's growth strategy, including strengthening its management structure to meet the demands of Premier League football, growing commercial revenue through new partnerships with national and international brands, and building on Sunderland's global brand and deep community roots to drive international expansion, all while keeping supporters at the heart of the Club's decision-making.

Central to this growth strategy is Burwell's drive to "export what Sunderland means to the world." This has included a 2026 pre-season tour of North America, with fixtures against Liverpool, Leeds United and Wrexham across Tennessee, New Jersey and Pennsylvania; a multi-year collaboration with the Elvis Presley Estate and Authentic Brands Group, the first partnership of its kind for a Premier League club, celebrating the Club's five-decade connection to its matchday anthem "Can't Help Falling in Love"; a 10-year retail partnership with Fanatics, extending Sunderland's merchandise reach across more than 2,000 stores worldwide and underpinning a record-breaking season for merchandise sales; and a new esports partnership with Team Liquid for the ePremier League. Alongside deepening commercial and playing ties with Africa, these initiatives reflect the Club's ambition to grow its global fanbase while preserving its community roots.

Prior to joining Sunderland AFC, Burwell held senior positions at Formula 1 across Race Promotion and Partnerships, bringing extensive experience in international sports operations, commercial strategy, and event promotion.