Newcastle appoint chief executive

Newcastle United plc have named Steve Walton, a relationship director with Barclays Large Corporate Banking, as their new chief executive.

A statement said the appointment has been “designed to strengthen the existing management team in view of a number of proposed future developments in and around St James’ Park”.

Walton has been with Barclays for many years in a variety of roles including sales and marketing, corporate finance and retail banking.

For the past 12 years he has been responsible for Barclays’ football operations, particularly with Premiership clubs.

His relationship with Newcastle goes back more than 10 years and he has been heavily involved in all aspects of the club’s financing over that period.