At 54, Karren Brady has already had more successful careers than most people have in a lifetime. She’s worked as an advertising executive, football club manager, small business owner, entertainer, and politician.
Somehow, she’s been able to balance all of these roles while staying true to herself and refusing to compromise when it matters. So, how did Karren Brady get so wealthy?
Why Is Karren Brady Famous?
Karren Brady has had a diverse career in business, entertainment, and sports. How you heard of her probably depends on your personal interests.
If you love watching football matches, you probably first encountered Brady when she convinced David Sullivan to buy Birmingham City F.C. and let her become its managing director. Sullivan’s decision got a lot of media attention because Brady was a 23-year-old woman, a rarity in the sports arena.
You could have also seen Karren Brady on The Apprentice in 2007. Her personality made her an entertaining and insightful guest interviewer on the reality TV show. Her role on the show made her increased her fame by exposing her to a wider general audience.
You might also know Brady from her involvement in British politics. She publicly entertained the idea of running for a political position in 2013. Her comments got largely positive responses from members of the Conservative Party, and she was appointed to the House of Lords a year later.
Any of these moments could have introduced you to Karren Brady, but they don’t define her career. She has gone on to do many things that shape sports and politics. Her success has earned her a net worth of $40 million.
How Karren Brady Got Started
Karren Brady started her career as a trainee at Saatchi & Saatchi advertising firm.
After getting a rejection from Harlow College, she decided that it was time to enter the professional world instead of pursuing a degree.
The decision put her on a path that would make her a millionaire with serious cultural influence.
Early Career as an Advertising Executive
A year after joining Saatchi & Saatchi, Brady became an advertising account executive at London Broadcasting Company. Here, she used connections through her father – Terry Brady, who also worked in publishing and sports – to identify high-profile clients that would increase her value as an executive.
This strategy brought her into contact with David Sullivan, a billionaire who owned the tabloids Daily Sport and Sunday Sport.
Within just six months, Sullivan had spent $2.5 million on advertisements managed by Brady.
Obviously impressed with her ability to get results, he offered Brady a job at Sport Newspapers, the umbrella company that owned Sullivan’s publications.
She was only 20 years old when she became an executive at Sport Newspapers.
Brady’s First Job Managing a Football Club
The young Karren Brady wasn’t satisfied to simply play a role within Sullivan’s empire. She wanted more responsibilities and opportunities and created them for herself by convincing Sullivan to purchase Birmingham City F.C. and put her in charge of the club. She became Birmingham City F.C.’s managing director at 23.
Brady remained at Birmingham City until a series of legal allegations soured Sullivan and his business partner on the idea of owning a football club.
Brady’s Role at West Ham United
Brady’s experience in sports management made her an attractive option for leading West Ham United.
Under her leadership as vice-chairperson, the club transitioned from Boleyn Ground to Olympic Stadium (now called London Stadium).
This move increased the team’s home seating capacity from 35,000 to 57,000. West Ham immediately benefited as it sold every seat for its first season in the stadium.
She later told reporters that this move was part of her plan to make West Ham one of the top club’s in the world’s most popular sport.
The Apprentice Appearances
Karren Brady has the kind of cutthroat appeal that made Donald Trump such a successful host during the first few seasons of The Apprentice. She has high expectations and uses straightforward language to communicate with contestants.
For her, it’s all about the business and feelings don’t play much of a role. That approach is likely one of the reasons Sullivan poached her from London Broadcasting Company.
She has a killer instinct and doesn’t mince words. She’s the kind of person who can ruin someone’s day with nothing more than a look. It makes for wonderful, exciting TV.
Brady’s Political Career
The first time Karren Brady mentioned her interest in politics, members of the Conservative Party encouraged her and the government to make concrete plans. Many saw her business success and personality as great assets to the English government.
That year, 2013, she was invited to speak at the Conservative Party Conference. She accepted and spoke about the importance of small businesses.
She was appointed as the Small Business Ambassador. A year later, she joined the House of Lords.
Karren Brady West Ham United
At first, you might think Karren Brady stands out because she’s one of the very few women in professional football management. In reality, she stands out because she does her job so well.
She was instrumental in moving West Ham United to a larger venue that could accommodate 22,000 more fans than the previous stadium.
That dramatically increased the amount of money the club could make from ticket sales. It also made West Ham a higher-profile team ready to compete against some of the world’s best footballers.
Karren Brady Politician
Karren Brady first talked about entering politics in 2013. She received a lot of immediate support from members of the Conservative Party.
One Conservative Party leader even said that she should be given an immediate position. She only had to wait one year before becoming a member of the House of Lords.
As a member of the Conservative Party, she has consistently voted along party lines by lowering taxes, cutting government expenses through austerity measures, and enforcing strict immigration policies.
Karren Brady’s Awards
Karren Brady has won an impressive number of awards. Some of her achievements include:
- Cosmopolitan magazine’s Woman of the Year
- Revitalise Businesswoman of the Year
- Breakthrough for Inspiration Cancer Awards 2011 Most Inspirational Woman
- Football Business Awards CEO of the Year
The University of Birmingham even awarded her an honorary doctorate in business. That’s quite the achievement for someone without an undergraduate education.
How Did Karren Brady Become a Baroness?
Karren Brady became a baroness when she was appointed to the House of Lords.
She’s what’s called a “life peer,” which means she cannot pass the title to her children. However, she will retain the title of Baroness throughout her life.
How Did Karren Brady Make Her Money?
Karren Brady made her money running football clubs and managing advertising accounts primarily.
As the daughter of Terry Brady, Karren Brady had a financial headstart in life. But she’s proven time and time again that she has the intelligence and grit to make it on her own.
Whether managing advertising accounts or running football clubs, she’s been able to build a small fortune that makes her one of the most impressive women in small business and politics.
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