Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Anthony Kleanthous

Anthony Kleanthous (born January 1966) is a British businessman of Greek descent, best known as the owner and chairman of Club, a role he assumed in December 1994 at the age of 28, making him the youngest chairman in the League at the time. Born in , , to a family, Kleanthous built his fortune through diverse entrepreneurial ventures before entering football ownership. Kleanthous began his business career selling cars, later expanding into and becoming one of the largest distributors for Cellnet (now ), where he earned several industry awards for distribution. His interests have since broadened to development and and diagnostics through companies like TIC Health in . As of 2020, his was estimated at £131 million, primarily from and investments, ranking him among the richest individuals of origin in the UK. Under Kleanthous's stewardship, Football Club has experienced significant infrastructure development, including the construction of in 2013 at a cost exceeding £60 million, which serves as the club's training ground and home venue in . In the 2024–25 season, won the , earning promotion to . He has overseen multiple managerial appointments, including high-profile figures like and , amid the club's transitions between league levels. In February 2024, Kleanthous announced plans to relocate the club back to the London Borough of with a proposed £14 million stadium at South Underhill, aiming to end a decade-long exile from its traditional home. However, the planning application was refused by in July 2025, and as of October 2025, no appeal has been lodged. His tenure has also included advocacy for lower-league clubs, such as calls for financial support during the .

Early life

Family and heritage

Anthony Kleanthous was born on 31 January 1966 in , , to parents who had immigrated from . His family background is rooted in heritage, with his parents among the wave of migrants from the island who settled in the during the mid-20th century. Raised in , he grew up immersed in a community shaped by such immigrant families, where cultural ties to influenced daily life. Kleanthous's early years emphasized strong family bonds and local community connections in the working-class neighborhoods of . This upbringing later transitioned to formal schooling in .

Education

During his childhood and teenage years, Kleanthous attended secondary school in , , where he developed foundational skills amid a local environment that fostered his later interests in . Following , he enrolled at a in Waltham Forest to study , completing his formal in the mid-1980s. This vocational emphasized and principles, equipping him with practical knowledge that influenced his in the motor trade. Throughout his studies, Kleanthous showed an emerging interest in and , evident in his focus on hands-on applications of technology.

Business career

Leisure and property development

Anthony Kleanthous spearheaded the planning, construction, and development of The Hive, a multi-purpose leisure complex located on the former Prince Edward Playing Fields in Edgware, Middlesex. The facility opened on 15 December 2009, with the official ceremony attended by England manager Fabio Capello and Football Association director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking. Initial investment in the project totaled £15 million, establishing it as Europe's largest dedicated football facility with FIFA Pro 2* certified 5-a-side and 11-a-side pitches, alongside a gym, café, and conference spaces. Further enhancements followed, including a £4 million phase two expansion in 2012 to improve training and event capabilities. The Hive serves as a versatile leisure hub, offering training facilities for various , event hosting for corporate functions, weddings, and tournaments, and ample parking for visitors. It has hosted international youth teams, including under-18 squads from , , and , providing high-quality pitches and support services for their training sessions. Community programs are facilitated through The Hive Foundation, which promotes participation and youth development in the local area. Kleanthous owns related operational companies, including Venue Management Systems Limited, which handles venue operations and , and The Hive Match Day Parking Limited, focused on parking services for site visitors. These entities support the non-sporting uses of the complex, such as conferences and private . The Hive forms a core part of Kleanthous's broader property portfolio, centered on leisure-oriented in , within his group of over 30 companies valued at £131 million as of 2020.

Medical and healthcare services

Anthony Kleanthous serves as a of TIC Health Limited and related entities within the TIC Medical Group Holdings, overseeing operations in and diagnostics. TIC Health operates a fleet of 15 mobile and relocatable units (8 mobile and 7 relocatable) equipped with advanced MRI, , and scanners from manufacturers such as , , , and , enabling on-site diagnostic services for hospitals and clinics across the . These units incorporate technological integrations like AI-driven workflows, Reconstruction for faster image processing, and Compressed SENSE technology to reduce scan times by up to 50%, ensuring efficient and high-quality imaging while adhering to regulatory standards including () accreditation. In 2018, Kleanthous established The Imaging Centre as the flagship facility of TIC Health, with a £5 million investment in state-of-the-art equipment to provide MRI, , , and services, aimed at reducing waiting times for both NHS referrals and private patients. Located within The Hive complex, the centre operates extended hours—up to 12 hours daily, seven days a week—to support broader accessibility. The services emphasize diagnostics for elite athletes, including and scans, through partnerships with sports organizations such as local , , and athletics clubs, utilizing specialized protocols. TIC Health also runs outreach programs, offering affordable scanning options for local residents to promote early detection and general wellness. Under Kleanthous's leadership, the healthcare division has expanded, incorporating additional clinics in locations like , , Reading, and , , while maintaining focus on , , and seamless integration of mobile units with fixed-site facilities to enhance service delivery nationwide.

Football career

Barnet Football Club

Anthony Kleanthous acquired Football Club in December 1994 at the age of 28, making him the youngest chairman in the League at that time. Under his ownership, the club experienced multiple league movements, including relegation from the Football League in 2001, promotion back via the Conference National title in 2005, relegation from in 2018, and a return to the Football League through promotion from the in 2025. These fluctuations highlighted the financial strains on the club, with Kleanthous personally funding operations during periods of instability, such as the 2020 layoffs of non-playing staff amid the crisis that threatened monthly losses of £100,000. A pivotal decision came in 2013 when lease disputes with Council forced the relocation from to The Hive in , ending over a century at the club's traditional home and sparking tensions with supporters over the move outside the borough. At The Hive, Kleanthous in infrastructure upgrades, including expanded training facilities shared with other local teams, to support the club's operations and player development. These efforts sustained the club through further challenges, including fan criticisms of insufficient and strained relations, though Kleanthous maintained a commitment to long-term stability. In April 2025, secured promotion to for the 2025–26 season after a 4–0 victory over Aldershot Town clinched the title, marking the end of seven years in . This achievement followed Kleanthous's ongoing financial backing, which included sustainability initiatives like eco-friendly designs in facility enhancements at The Hive. To address the ongoing "exile" from borough, Kleanthous announced plans in February 2024 for a new 7,000-seat stadium at the Underhill site, with a planning application submitted to Council in December 2024. Revised designs were unveiled in January 2025, emphasizing community integration and Kleanthous's pledge to self-fund the £14 million project. However, in July 2025, Council's Committee refused the application. As of October 2025, the club has confirmed that no appeal has been lodged. The club has also briefly referenced support from Kleanthous's medical services for player health monitoring at The Hive.

Other contributions to football

In 2013, Anthony Kleanthous founded London Bees F.C. as the women's team affiliated with Barnet F.C., securing a license to compete in the FA Women's Super League 2 and marking a pioneering effort to elevate women's football at the club level. Under his leadership as director, the club invested in facilities at The Hive Stadium and talent development, aiming to foster a professional environment that could attract broader support across London and revitalize the sport's growth in the capital. Kleanthous emphasized the initiative's potential to "breathe new life into women's football in this country," positioning London Bees as a city-wide asset rather than a local side. Kleanthous served on () Board as a Professional Game representative, contributing to key decisions during his tenure in the late 2000s and early 2010s. His involvement included participation in committees focused on player welfare and development, where he helped shape policies supporting youth academies and community engagement programs to broaden access to the sport. As a board member, he advocated for structural reforms within the , including inquiries into organizational effectiveness, reflecting his commitment to enhancing football's administrative framework beyond club operations. On the National League board, Kleanthous held directorial roles for over a decade, departing after years of dedicated service, and played a pivotal role in modernizing the league's operations. As the director responsible for , he oversaw the rebranding from the Football Conference to the in 2015 and launched NLTV, an affordable internet streaming service that provided live coverage of matches and trained students in sports media production. He also championed reforms such as adjustments to formats to ensure competitive balance, while advocating for improved financial support and infrastructure for non-league clubs facing sustainability challenges. Kleanthous's Cypriot heritage, stemming from his family's immigration from to , has informed his broader influence on 's inclusivity, with under his chairmanship becoming one of the sport's most multi-cultural clubs. In response to allegations in 2022, he underscored the club's diverse composition, stating it as "one of the most multi-cultural clubs on the planet" and reaffirming a zero-tolerance stance on to support immigrant and minority communities in the game. Additionally, he has pushed for league-wide sustainability, notably urging the and in 2020 to redistribute funds to lower-tier clubs amid the crisis, highlighting the need for equitable resource allocation to prevent collapses in non-professional .

References

  1. [1]
    Exclusive interview with Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous - The Mirror
    Apr 3, 2014 · Under Kleanthous, who was the League's youngest chairman at 28 when he took over, things have been less turbulent off the pitch since those ...
  2. [2]
    The Premiership has become a cancer - The Telegraph
    May 30, 2007 · I bought Barnet Football Club in December 1994 and, at 28, became the then youngest chairman in the Football League.Missing: Anthony | Show results with:Anthony
  3. [3]
    Rich List 2020: profiles 906‑982= - The Times
    May 16, 2020 · 915= TONY KLEANTHOUS Football and property £131m New entry. Kleanthous, 54, owns and chairs Barnet football club, spending more than £60m ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  4. [4]
    The richest UK Cypriots | in-cyprus.com
    May 19, 2020 · 7. Tony Kleanthous is at No 915 with a fortune of £131 million. Line of work: Kleanthous sold cars before moving into petrochemicals and mobile ...
  5. [5]
    The richest UK Cypriot - London - Parikiaki
    May 18, 2020 · Tony Kleanthous. Tony Kleanthous is in position 915 at a value of £131 million. He owns and chairs Barnet FC where he spent 60 million on a ...Missing: career | Show results with:career
  6. [6]
    Barnet's Tony Kleanthous and Martin Allen are the odd couple
    Mar 23, 2018 · Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous and Martin Allen drive each other to distraction, but the owner has just hired 'Mad Dog' for a fifth time.Missing: background | Show results with:background
  7. [7]
    Barnet FC plans to build stadium in home borough - BBC
    Feb 19, 2024 · Anthony Kleanthous said he wanted to end Barnet FC's "10-year exile in Harrow" and build the ground in Barnet. The club has been based at ...
  8. [8]
    Barnet Football Club's supporters hoping their team's top-of-the ...
    Mar 4, 2025 · Club chairman Tony Kleanthous has promised to finance the building of the new stadium, at a cost of around £14 million, and the estimate is ...
  9. [9]
    Barnet owner and former FA board member calls for Premier ...
    Mar 18, 2020 · The businessman, who has owned the National League side for 26 years, is urging the FA and Premier League to take action and offer aid to help ...
  10. [10]
    Anthony Kleanthous - Manager profile - Transfermarkt
    This is the profile site of the manager Anthony Kleanthous. The site lists all clubs he coached and all clubs he played for.
  11. [11]
    The Cypriot Who Likes To Be Involved | The Independent
    Oct 26, 1998 · Mr Kleanthous's family came from Cyprus. But he was raised in London, and stressed that his roots and future were firmly in the UK. He had ...
  12. [12]
    Anthony Andrew KLEANTHOUS personal appointments
    Anthony Andrew KLEANTHOUS. Filter appointments. Filter appointments. Current appointments. Total number of appointments 1. Date of birth: January 1966. PURPLE ...Missing: age | Show results with:age
  13. [13]
    England boss to opening Barnet FC training ground - Times Series
    Dec 15, 2009 · England boss Fabio Capello to opening Barnet FC training ground in Edgware today. 15th December 2009. By Times Group reporters. Share. 0 ...Missing: Anthony | Show results with:Anthony
  14. [14]
    Tony Kleanthous: Barnet £4million Hive 'Phase 2 - Parikiaki
    Mar 28, 2012 · The Hive, which is also the home of Barnet Football Club, has invested an additional £4 million into further improving the already impressive football centre.Missing: Anthony founding
  15. [15]
    THE CHAIRMAN ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS - Barnet FC
    Aug 31, 2012 · With a number of your burning issues still needing answers, Barnet FC Chairman Tony Kleanthous dedicates his time to thoroughly and openly ...Missing: Anthony background
  16. [16]
    The Hive London: Football Pitch Hire, Wedding & Event Venue
    Book The Hive London in Edgware – 3G and 4G football pitch hire, stadium filming, gym and The Amber Suite for luxury weddings and unforgettable ...Football Pitch HireParking
  17. [17]
    Spain, Scotland and England visit The Hive! - Barnet Football Club
    The Hive London has once again played host to an array of international talent in the last week with Spain, Scotland and England's Under-18s using our ...
  18. [18]
    Anthony Andrew KLEANTHOUS personal appointments
    Total number of appointments 19. THE HIVE MATCH DAY PARKING LIMITED (07136807), BARNET CLUB LIMITED(THE) (01673589), VENUE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LIMITED (05148463 ...
  19. [19]
    Anthony Andrew KLEANTHOUS personal appointments
    Anthony Andrew KLEANTHOUS · Filter appointments · Total number of appointments 40 · TIC DIAGNOSTICS LTD (11975717) · TIC ELITE LIMITED (11964399) · THE BEES FOOTBALL ...
  20. [20]
    Our Fleet - TIC Imaging - TIC Health
    TIC Imaging offers a fleet of advanced mobile and relocatable units with the latest MRI, CT, and Mammography technology. Our fleet is meticulously ...Missing: value | Show results with:value
  21. [21]
    New first-of-its-kind £5m imaging centre opens to reduce waiting ...
    We are very pleased to be working with TIC, not just for this first elite diagnostic centre, but also the fleet of mobile CT and MRI scanners that are ...Missing: Anthony | Show results with:Anthony
  22. [22]
    About Us - TIC Health
    Our Edgware clinic provides a broader range of services, including advanced medical imaging, sports medicine, heart health checkups, private GP services and ...Missing: Anthony mobile
  23. [23]
    Barnet lay off all non-playing staff as club counts cost of coronavirus
    Mar 17, 2020 · Kleanthous said the club had been budgeting to lose £100,000 per month in the hope that by spending on players' wages they could challenge for ...
  24. [24]
    Chairman's Q&A: The Answers - Barnet Football Club
    Aug 27, 2015 · Barnet FC Chairman Tony Kleanthous has responded to all the questions sent to the club, as part of his annual Q&A with Bees fans:.
  25. [25]
  26. [26]
    Barnet v Aldershot Town: National League stats & head-to-head - BBC
    Apr 26, 2025 · Barnet have been promoted back to League Two after seven seasons of non-league football following a comfortable 4-0 win over Aldershot Town.
  27. [27]
    Barnet back-to-roots 'Hive' plans Green goals - Coliseum
    Jan 24, 2025 · 'DYWPK' further stated that the Barnet F.C. Chairman Anthony Kleanthous and the architects at AndArchitects have revealed some cool new designs.
  28. [28]
    PLANNING APPLICATION FOR NEW STADIUM IN BARNET TO BE ...
    Dec 20, 2024 · PLANNING APPLICATION FOR NEW STADIUM IN BARNET TO BE SUBMITTED IN 2024. This Morning, Barnet FC Chairman Anthony Kleanthous, ...Missing: financial investments infrastructure upgrades<|control11|><|separator|>
  29. [29]
    Latest plans for Barnet FC's 'New Underhill' stadium unveiled
    Jan 15, 2025 · Barnet FC has unveiled new designs for its stadium as the club prepares to submit a planning application to Barnet Council later this year.
  30. [30]
    Barnet FC confirms Underhill has been sold - Times Series
    Jun 8, 2015 · Barnet FC chairman Tony Kleanthous confirms former Underhill Stadium has been sold to Education Funding Agency.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  31. [31]
    Tony Kleanthous: London Bees a team the whole capital can support
    Jan 21, 2014 · Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous insists the formation of Women's Super League team London Bees will breathe new life into women's football in this country.Missing: Anthony | Show results with:Anthony
  32. [32]
    [PDF] committee membership - The FA
    FA Board. NG Reps. Barry Bright, Roger Burden, Michael Game and. Mervyn Leggett. PG Reps. David Gill, Keith Lamb , Anthony Kleanthous, and Sir David Richards.
  33. [33]
    The FA's new chairman has to trump Lord Triesman when ...
    Dec 14, 2010 · "I really hope this inquiry is not going to be all about the FA," says Tony Kleanthous, the Barnet chairman and FA board member. "The ...
  34. [34]
    The bitter divisions that brought down Watmore | The Independent
    Mar 24, 2010 · Sir Dave Richards, chairman of the Premier League, former Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks and Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous were the FA ...
  35. [35]
    Co vice-chairman joins National League board - Chesterfield FC
    The Board wishes to place on record its thanks to departing director Anthony Kleanthous for his dedicated service over many years. An Ordinary Resolution ...
  36. [36]
    Football Conference to become National League in high-profile ...
    Apr 6, 2015 · Tony Kleanthous, the Conference board director responsible for broadcasting, said: “NLTV's aim is to launch a very affordable internet ...Missing: Anthony | Show results with:Anthony
  37. [37]
    NATIONAL LEAGUE | 3UP CAMPAIGN - Barnet Football Club
    Barnet FC Chairman Tony Kleanthous spoke on the decision saying: “We're top right now. If we get promoted and they bring in three up – three down next season, ...
  38. [38]
    Barnet chief highlights 'multi-culturalism' as racism probe uncovers ...
    Feb 2, 2022 · Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous has insisted the club is “one of the most multi-cultural on the planet” after stating an investigation into an alleged incident ...Missing: Anthony diversity