'Enjoyed our time' - Amanda Staveley teases PIF reunion two years after Newcastle United exit
The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund was at the FII Priority Summit in Rome this week, with a former Newcastle United co-owner in tow.
Former Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley was back alongside the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund this past week.
Staveley spearheaded the Newcastle takeover by PIF back in 2021, taking up an initial 10% ownership stake which was later reduced to 6%. The Ripon-born financier played a key role in accelerating the club’s progress on and off the pitch post-takeover before stepping down and leaving the club in the summer of 2024.
Despite being linked with takeovers at other clubs, Staveley’s affinity towards Newcastle has remained along with her relationship with PIF.
This week, Newcastle chairman and PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan was speaking at the FII Priority Summit in Rome. Al-Rumayyan reiterated PIF’s position as ‘long-term, patient investors’ when it comes to its portfolio of businesses.
The Magpies chairman recently visited Tyneside for a summit at Matfen Hall. During his visit, he reaffirmed his long-term commitment to making Newcastle one of the leading clubs in world football.
Speaking at the FII summit, Al-Rumayyan outlined PIF’s stance on its global portfolio - which includes Newcastle United Football Club.
“For us at the PIF, we always continue to invest, be very much diverse and our portfolio structurally resilient,” he said. “We are a long-term patient investor and we will remain committed to all of our investments and investment strategy around the world.
“A lot of people thought we would stop deploying investments internationally. I can tell you that we're not going to stop. The percentages are going lower, but the absolute numbers will continue to grow.
“We just got our board to approve our new strategy until the end of 2030. What PIF did since 2016, we basically brought the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the world. Now our new strategy is to bring the world back to Saudi.”
Staveley was also present with PIF at the summit along with her husband, Mehrdad Ghodoussi.
After the event, Staveley took to Instagram to post a picture of herself with Ghodoussi. It was accompanied by the caption: “Thoroughly enjoyed our time at FII with PIF. And the chance to spend a little time with Hubby.”
Even two years after leaving Newcastle, Staveley remains highly regarded by supporters of the club. Her determination and tenacity to deliver the takeover, followed up by her passion for the football club, resonated with fans - many of whom would still welcome her return.