Aston Villa Football Club has officially appointed Francesco Calvo as President of Business Operations, with the seasoned executive set to begin his new role in July 2025.
The move underscores Villa’s growing ambition to become a global football powerhouse under the ownership of V Sports.
Calvo joins from Italian giants Juventus, where he most recently served as Managing Director of Revenue and Institutional Relationships.
In that role, he oversaw all commercial income and maintained strategic ties with governing bodies including FIFA, UEFA, ECA, and Serie A.
Veteran Football Executive Brings European Expertise
With an impressive resume that includes leadership roles at Juventus, FC Barcelona, and AS Roma, Calvo brings decades of elite football business experience to Villa Park.
His appointment follows the departure of Chris Heck, who exited the club at the close of the 2024/25 season.
Calvo expressed his enthusiasm about the opportunity, stating:
“It is a great honour for me to join this Club at such an exciting time. Everyone in football knows the history of and passionate support for Aston Villa. In the past few years, we’ve seen this begin to be matched by success on the pitch and progress off it under the ambitious ownership of V Sports.”
He added that he looks forward to working alongside Chairman Nassef Sawiris, the Board, manager Unai Emery, and the wider team to push the club forward both commercially and culturally.
Backed by Ambition at the Highest Level
Aston Villa Executive Chairman Nassef Sawiris welcomed the appointment with confidence, saying:
“We are pleased to welcome Francesco Calvo to Aston Villa. He has an outstanding track record at some of Europe’s biggest clubs and brings a huge amount of experience. Our ambition is for Aston Villa to be competing at the very top level in everything we do, both on and off the pitch.”
Under Sawiris’ and Wes Edens’ stewardship, Aston Villa has enjoyed a resurgence, with European competition qualification and ongoing investment in infrastructure and talent.
Strategic Focus on Global Growth and Commercial Strength
Calvo’s arrival signals a strong focus on elevating Villa’s global profile, maximizing commercial potential, and strengthening relationships with international institutions.
His deep network and proven success in high-stakes football environments align with the club’s trajectory.
His leadership will be instrumental as Aston Villa continues to evolve from a historic English club into a modern, globally respected football brand.
