Brentford Football Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Jon Varney, has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of West London (UWL) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to sport, business, and leadership. The award was presented during UWL’s graduation ceremony on Tuesday, 2 December 2026, held at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
The ceremony marked the first of two graduation days and celebrated the achievements of thousands of graduating students. Jon Varney’s recognition was a key highlight of the event.
A Return to Where His Career Began
During his acceptance speech, Jon Varney reflected on the special meaning of receiving the honour at Twickenham Stadium. He shared that this was the same venue where his working life began many years ago in the ticket office.
From those early days, Jon worked his way through different roles, including marketing and sponsorship, especially when the stadium expanded and added new hospitality boxes that needed to be promoted and sold. His journey showed how dedication and hard work can open new doors.
Career Growth Across Sport and Business
After gaining experience in sports marketing, Jon Varney moved into a major role at Coca-Cola, working in sponsorship. Later, he took a bold step by launching his own business with Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Theo Paphitis. The agency grew successfully and was eventually sold to a leading sports marketing company.
Jon then returned to professional sport as the Commercial Director of Premiership Rugby, where he helped grow the commercial side of the game.
In 2019, while working as a founding partner at Pitch International, a global sports broadcast and sponsorship agency, Jon was approached about becoming Chief Executive of Brentford Football Club. At first, he turned down the offer.
He later explained that Brentford was his personal escape as a lifelong supporter, and he was unsure about turning his passion into his job. However, after careful thought, he accepted the role and called it one of the best decisions of his career.
Leading Brentford Through Historic Years
Since becoming CEO, Jon Varney has guided Brentford through some of the most important moments in the club’s history. These include:
-
Managing the club during the COVID-19 pandemic
-
Overseeing the move to the new Brentford Community Stadium
-
Supporting the team’s successful return to the Premier League
-
Strengthening the club’s global brand and commercial growth
In recognition of his leadership, Jon was named CEO of the Year at the Football Business Awards in 2021.
Speaking about leadership, Jon said his goal is to give people confidence and opportunity, regardless of their background.
Strong Partnership with the University of West London
The University of West London has been an official Higher Education Sponsor of Brentford FC since 2012, showing a long and strong partnership between education and professional sport.
At the ceremony, Professor Peter John CBE, Vice-Chancellor and President of UWL, presented Jon with his honorary doctorate. He praised Jon’s leadership and highlighted the long-standing friendship and cooperation between UWL and Brentford Football Club.
Inspiring Words for Graduates
Jon Varney also shared a powerful message with the graduating students and their families. He spoke about the importance of stepping outside comfort zones, staying determined, and believing in oneself.
He encouraged graduates to remain kind, work hard, and stay true to who they are, reminding them that success does not follow one straight path.
A Moment That Celebrates Leadership and Community
Jon Varney’s honorary doctorate is not just a personal achievement but also a celebration of leadership, perseverance, and community partnership. His journey from a ticket office worker at Twickenham to Chief Executive of a Premier League club serves as a powerful example for young professionals across the UK.
The graduation ceremony at UWL was a proud moment for students, families, and the wider Brentford community—highlighting how education, sport, and leadership can come together to shape meaningful success.
