Key Leeds United appointment can finally be unleashed on multi-million-pound development

Peter Lowy (second left) has an wealth of experience when it comes to property and planning
-Credit: (Image: Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images)


Since he first arrived on the scene at Leeds United in May 2021, Peter Lowy has been a regular face in directors’ boxes up and down the country. The billionaire heir has followed his beloved Whites as frequently as he can, while occupying one of the seats in the club’s boardroom.

Aside from Paraag Marathe and Jed York, two of the highest-profile San Francisco 49ers suits involved at Elland Road, Lowy has arguably had the biggest presence of all the new faces that arrived on the back of the 49ers vehicle. He has spoken once publicly, during LUTV’s broadcast of the club’s end-of-season awards in 2021, but little else is known about what the Australian has done in such a powerful role.

Lowy is known to be one of the biggest investors within 49ers Enterprises, hence his seat on the board, and his financial input over the past few years is likely to have been sizeable. However, could Lowy’s real influence and expertise be about to make a difference?

READ MORE:'Exciting' Leeds United signing handed Championship warning after Spurs move

READ MORE:Sacking situation, midfield switch and three Leeds United injury doubts on Farke's agenda

The lifelong United fan was joint chief executive of the Westfield Group until December 2017. Lowy played a significant role in the shopping centre chain’s immense success around the world. Now, as United prepare to take the next step in their redevelopment plans, Lowy is bound to be an important voice.

Since drawings of an expanded Elland Road were first revealed by Angus Kinnear, during the club’s centenary celebrations, there has been excitement, and a lot of waiting. During Kinnear’s recent interview with The Square Ball, he admitted he was beginning to lose credibility with references to the stadium expansion without ever seeing material progress.

He did, though, insist there will be an announcement released imminently on the next steps of that road map. The stadium’s Don Revie and John Charles stands will be redeveloped with a view to taking capacity up to 53,000 seats.

The announcement is expected to centre on forthcoming planning applications and appeals for feedback from stakeholders on how the development could eventually look. Formal drawings of the future stadium are not expected to be published until further down the line.

All of this plays into Lowy’s wheelhouse, though. His extensive experience of planning laws, working with authorities, external stakeholders and maximising investment into the work should be priceless for the club.

Future plans for Fullerton Park remain up in the air too. Since the plans to build a community sports hub there were moved to the former site of Matthew Murray High School, the land has continued as a car park for the stadium.

It is understood the community sports hub plan was changed to ensure United’s plans for Elland Road were not inhibited. That space on Fullerton Park could yet be used for a variety of functions off the back of the stadium. Lowy’s experience in the retail and leisure industry could have an influence there too.

Aside from Lowy, the two most recent additions to the board, Andrew Schwartzberg and Eugene Schneur, also extensive experience in property development. Affordable housing may be a long way from the glitz and glamour of a football stadium redevelopment, but it is at least some relevant experience in a similar sector.

These are all voices that bring worthwhile opinions to the melting pot as 49ers Enterprises looks to shape the future of a beloved site for the coming decades.