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Phillip Owen Wallace BEM (born 22 October 1949) is a British businessman and chairman of EFL League One association football club Stevenage F.C.[1][2]

Key Information

Business interests

[edit]

Phil Wallace is the CEO of Lamex Food Group, a global food trading company with 21 offices in 16 countries. He joined in 1972 when the company, then known as L+M Foods, was a small food importer based in London. He became a director in 1975 and was appointed managing director and majority shareholder in the early 1980s. Since then the company has added offices around the world and the continuing growth in the Group lead to a US$50 million management buyout in 2006, with Phil Wallace still retaining a significant holding in the newly formed parent, Lamex Food Group.[3] He continues to lead the Group from his bases in the UK and US. He was a director of The Football Conference for five years and served as Vice Chairman for two years, resigning his position in 2006 to concentrate on his US business interests.

Chairman of Stevenage F.C.

[edit]

In 1999, he purchased a 90% holding in Stevenage F.C. after it was reported that the club were days from closing. Since then the club's finances have been rebuilt and the stadium improved to a 7,100 capacity. The improvements implemented by Wallace included a new £600,000 stand opening,[4] and work on a new £2.5 million training facility was announced for nearby Shephalbury Park - which subsequently opened in 2002. The club also continued to improve on the pitch under Wallace's chairmanship. During the 2001–02 season, Stevenage reached the FA Trophy final at Villa Park, but lost 2–0 in the final.[5] Wallace continued to run a tight ship as Stevenage showed signs of gradual improvement. Stevenage became the first side to win a competitive final at the new Wembley Stadium in May 2007; winning 3–2 in the final in front of a competition record crowd of 53,262.[6][7] This success was repeated again in 2009, when Stevenage Borough defeated York City in the final 2–0.[8] In 2010, they competed in the FA Trophy final at Wembley Stadium once again.[9]

The following year, on 17 April 2010, Stevenage were promoted to the Football League for the first time in the club's history with two games to spare. Promotion was secured thanks to a 2–0 win at Kidderminster Harriers.[10] The title win subsequently meant that Wallace was a chairman of a Football League club for the first time during the club's 2010–11 campaign. It also backed Wallace's controversial decision to bring manager Graham Westley back for a second spell at the club. The success continued in the club's first Football League season, with Stevenage earning back-to-back promotions following a successful play-off campaign. Stevenage beat Torquay United 1–0 at Old Trafford in the final to secure promotion. During the same season, Stevenage also reached the Fourth Round of the FA Cup – beating Premier League side Newcastle United at Broadhall Way in the previous round.

The 2011–12 season brought continued success; with Stevenage reaching the League One play-off places despite their limited resources.[11] The club ultimately lost in the two-legged play-off semi-finals, losing 1–0 to Sheffield United. Wallace brought in new manager Gary Smith in January 2012,[12] following Westley's departure to Preston North End, and Smith guided Stevenage to the Fifth Round of the FA Cup.[13] The club took Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur to a replay, before losing 3–1 at White Hart Lane.[13] Wallace revealed that the capital earned from the Tottenham games "will hasten the club's development, but will not change future plans".[14] Wallace announced in June 2011 that the club had secured a lease on a 40-acre former sports ground in Bragbury End[15] – with the intention of developing the site into a new training complex.[15] Wallace continued adding income generating assets to the club, purchasing a children's nursery in 2014 which was moved to a new build facility at the club's Shephalbury training ground in 2015. In 2018 the club began work on a new £1.5m North Stand, after securing the first ever Bond Issue in English football with fans contributing £600,000 towards the build by way of a 5-year loan. The stand is expected to open in 2019.

Wallace was awarded the British Empire Medal in the 2020 Birthday Honours.[16]

References

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Phil Wallace

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Phillip Owen Wallace BEM (born 22 October 1949) is a British businessman and chairman of EFL League One club Stevenage F.C. since 1999.[1][2] Wallace began his career in London stockbroking before joining Lamex Foods in 1972 as an export director, becoming managing director in 1980 and majority shareholder in the 1980s. He led the company, a global food trading group, as CEO from 2006 until his retirement on 1 October 2025.[3][4] In football administration, Wallace previously chaired Boreham Wood F.C. before taking over Stevenage in 1999, saving the club from financial collapse. Under his leadership, Stevenage achieved promotion to the Football League in 2010, won the FA Trophy in 2007 and 2009, and expanded its stadium capacity to 7,100 with improved training facilities. He founded the Stevenage FC Foundation in 2009 to support community initiatives.[5][2] For his services to football and the community in Hertfordshire, Wallace was awarded the British Empire Medal in the 2020 Birthday Honours.[6]

Business career

Early professional roles

Phillip Owen Wallace was born in October 1949.[7] Wallace began his professional career in a firm of London stockbrokers, gaining initial experience in the financial sector.[3] He was recruited by the owner of L+M Foods, a small canned goods importer based in London, to help expand the business through initial import activities.[3] This move marked a pivotal transition from finance to the trade and import sector, laying the foundation for his future endeavors in international food trading.[3] This early role at L+M Foods set the stage for the company's subsequent growth into the Lamex Food Group.[8]

Leadership at Lamex Food Group

Phil Wallace joined Lamex Foods in 1971 as its CEO, initially focusing on developing export markets for the company's canned meat products.[8] Three years later, in 1974, he was appointed as Export Director, marking his formal entry into the company's directorial roles at what was then a small importer founded in 1966.[3] In 1980, Wallace advanced to the position of Managing Director and, over the subsequent five years, acquired majority shareholder status by purchasing the shares of founder Eric Muench.[3] Under his leadership, Lamex expanded significantly, emphasizing both exports—particularly to the Far East—and imports of canned meats, frozen foods, fruits, and vegetables. This strategic focus drove the opening of international offices, starting with the United States in 1985 and extending to Europe, Asia, and beyond, transforming the firm from a niche importer into a global trading powerhouse.[8][3] Wallace orchestrated a pivotal management buyout in 2006, which provided equity to ten directors and shareholders while solidifying his role as Group CEO, a position he held overseeing trading, strategy, and operations from bases in the UK and USA. This transaction, following the buyback of a 19% stake from Norwich Union in 2005, fueled further growth, including acquisitions like the Moorland poultry factory in 2003 and offices in Brazil and Thailand in 2005, Ireland, Russia, and China in 2006.[8] Annual group sales reached over $1.6 billion in 2021, reflecting the scale of expansion under his tenure.[8] Wallace served as Group CEO from 2006 until his retirement on 1 October 2025, capping nearly five decades of leadership that elevated Lamex Food Group to a multinational entity with 21 offices across 16 countries.[3][9][4] Following his retirement, the 15-year stadium naming rights partnership with Stevenage F.C. concluded as of November 2025.[4]

Football administration

Involvement with Boreham Wood F.C.

Phil Wallace entered football administration in 1991 by becoming chairman of Boreham Wood F.C., marking his initial foray into the sport at the non-league level.[10][11] As CEO of the Lamex Food Group, Wallace brought a business-oriented approach to the club, leading it through a period of notable success in the Isthmian League Premier Division during the 1990s, supported by manager Bob Makin.[12][10] His tenure, spanning from 1991 until his resignation on 19 August 1999, emphasized stability and growth for the Hertfordshire-based club.[11][12] Wallace's motivations stemmed from his background as a successful entrepreneur seeking to contribute to local community initiatives through sports governance.[10] This role provided foundational experience that later progressed to his chairmanship at Stevenage F.C. in 1999.[10]

Chairmanship of Stevenage F.C.

In 1999, Phil Wallace acquired a 90% ownership stake in Stevenage F.C., rescuing the club from imminent closure due to financial collapse.[10] This intervention followed his prior experience as chairman of Boreham Wood F.C., where he gained insights into lower-league football administration.[10] As majority owner and chairman since July 1999, Wallace has provided ongoing financial backing to stabilize the club's operations, emphasizing prudent management to ensure long-term viability in the English Football League. In 2019, Wallace offered 12% equity to fans via crowdfunding, raising £300,000 to support transfers and wages while maintaining majority ownership.[1][13] Wallace's strategic oversight has included active involvement in key administrative areas, such as transfer activities to bolster squad competitiveness. For instance, during the January 2018 transfer window, the club completed 13 deals under his direction, including sales and acquisitions that reshaped the team while balancing the budget.[14] In recent years, Wallace has demonstrated strong support for managerial leadership amid competitive pressures. In 2025, as Stevenage navigated challenges in League One, he publicly affirmed his commitment to head coach Alex Revell, stating he would "go to war" for the manager to aid the club's ambitions in the division.[15] This backing underscores Wallace's hands-on role in operational decisions, fostering stability for the club's progression.[16]

Key achievements and developments

Under Phil Wallace's chairmanship, Stevenage F.C. achieved significant on-field success, beginning with their victory in the FA Trophy in 2007, where they defeated Kidderminster Harriers 3-2 in the final at the newly opened Wembley Stadium, marking the club's first major national trophy. This triumph, highlighted by Steve Morison's decisive goal, provided a substantial financial boost and elevated the club's profile in non-league football.[17] The club continued its ascent by securing promotion to the Football League as champions of the Conference Premier in the 2009–10 season, finishing with 82 points and clinching the title on the final day with a 2-1 win over Cambridge United. Building on this momentum, Stevenage earned back-to-back promotion in 2010–11 by winning the League Two play-offs, defeating Torquay United 1-0 in the Wembley final to reach League One for the first time in their history. These rapid advancements transformed Stevenage from a mid-table non-league side into a competitive EFL club.[18][19] Wallace oversaw key infrastructure developments to support this growth, including the opening of a £5 million training facility at Shephalbury Park in autumn 2002, which enabled the club to transition to full-time professional operations and enhanced player development. The Lamex Stadium saw expansions such as a new £600,000 stand and overall capacity increases to 7,100 by the mid-2010s, accommodating growing attendances. In 2018, construction began on a North Stand redevelopment adding modern seating and facilities to boost capacity further toward 8,000 and improve matchday experiences.[10][19][20] Following Wallace's retirement from the Lamex Food Group in October 2025, the club announced the end of its 15-year stadium naming rights partnership with Lamex, opening opportunities for new sponsorship deals to fund future ambitions. By 2025, Stevenage had progressed from near-collapse prior to Wallace's 1999 involvement into a sustainable EFL League One contender, consistently challenging for play-off spots with a focus on financial prudence and infrastructure investment.[4][16]

Community involvement

Founding of Stevenage FC Foundation

Phil Wallace, as the majority owner of Stevenage F.C., founded the Stevenage FC Foundation in 2010 and served as an original trustee of the charity.[2][10][21] The Foundation was established with the primary goals of benefiting the public in Hertfordshire and surrounding areas, without discrimination, by promoting physical, mental, cultural, and moral education; encouraging community participation in healthy recreation through sport and physical fitness; and advancing public education while providing opportunities to develop full capacities—focusing on community engagement, education, health, and social programs in Stevenage.[22]

Community impact and initiatives

Since its inception in 2010, the Stevenage FC Foundation has had a profound long-term impact on the local community, touching countless lives through programs focused on sports, education, and welfare.[10] The charity delivers over 30 projects annually, leveraging the power of sport and the club's facilities to promote active lifestyles, mental wellbeing, and social inclusion.[23] In the 2023-24 season alone, it engaged more than 15,000 unique participants across 9,000 hours of activity, generating over £10 million in social value—equivalent to £12.94 for every £1 invested—and with 90% of participants reporting improved physical or mental health outcomes.[24] Key initiatives include community outreach efforts such as schools-based programs like Premier League Primary Stars and Joy of Moving, which support extracurricular activities and healthy recreation for young people.[23] Youth development is advanced through initiatives like Kellogg's Football Camps and educational degrees in sports coaching and business delivered at the Lamex Stadium via the Learn at the Lamex scheme.[23] Local partnerships have further amplified these efforts, including a 2025 collaboration with Govia Thameslink Railway on the Step Up program—a 12-week pilot in secondary schools aimed at boosting student engagement and retention in education—and a £37,500 grant from the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund to enhance program delivery with a branded vehicle.[25][26] As founder and trustee, Phil Wallace has played a pivotal role in expanding the foundation's reach since 2010, contributing ideas to fundraising drives like the 2024 Giving Day and integrating community work with club operations to sustain growth.[2][27] This synergy has enabled post-2010 developments, such as enhanced school partnerships that foster long-standing positive effects on local youth and families.[28]

Awards and recognition

British Empire Medal

In the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours, Phil Wallace was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to association football and the community in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.[29] The honours list, delayed from June due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was published on 10 October 2020, recognizing Wallace's contributions as chairman of Stevenage Football Club since 1999.[30] Wallace received the award in acknowledgment of his leadership in elevating the club to the Football League in 2010 and overseeing infrastructure developments, such as the £2 million North Stand at the Lamex Stadium—named after his family business, Lamex Foods Group—while fostering community engagement.[10] The BEM also highlighted his philanthropic efforts, including the establishment of the Stevenage FC Foundation in 2010, which has supported local initiatives like the Coronavirus Community Careline during the pandemic.[10] Upon announcement, Wallace described the honour as profoundly moving, stating, "I am honoured to have been recognised by the Queen in her annual honours list for services to football and the people of Hertfordshire. It is very humbling to receive this award but it's just as important to receive recognition for the community work we do as it's a huge part of the football club."[10] He further credited the club's staff and foundation team, noting, "That would not have been possible without everyone at Stevenage FC and the foundation who continue to go above and beyond to help people in their time of need," and expressed deep appreciation for those who had contributed to the club's progress over the years.[10] This personal recognition underscored the interconnected impact of his business acumen, football governance, and community philanthropy in Hertfordshire.[30]

Other contributions to football governance

Phil Wallace served as a director of The Football Conference Limited from 3 June 2000 until 3 June 2006, contributing to the governance of England's top tier of non-league football during a period of structural growth and policy reform.[7] In this role, he participated in decisions aimed at enhancing the league's competitiveness and sustainability, including efforts to improve financial regulations and club licensing standards for aspiring Football League members.[31] In July 2005, Wallace was appointed as joint vice-chairman of the Football Conference alongside Charlie Clapham, a position he held through the 2005/06 season to support the league's operational leadership under chairman Bill King.[32] As vice-chairman, he played a key part in advocating for expanded promotion opportunities, notably championing the shift to a "two-up, two-down" system between the Conference and the Football League, which aimed to increase mobility and reward on-field success more equitably.[33] This initiative, which gained traction in the mid-2000s, reflected broader efforts to professionalize non-league structures and align them with the professional divisions.[34] Wallace resigned from both his directorial and vice-chairmanship roles in May 2006, citing the need to prioritize his expanding business interests in the United States and his commitments at Stevenage Borough F.C.[31] His tenure on the board helped foster policy developments that supported non-league clubs' pathways to higher levels, including enhanced revenue sharing and youth development frameworks during the early 2000s.[34]

References

  1. Philip Russell Wallace - Physics Today
  2. None
  3. [PDF] Phil Wallace and Theoretical Physics at McGill in the 1950's
  4. Phillip Owen WALLACE personal appointments - Companies House
  5. The Directors - Lamex Food Group
  6. History - Lamex Food Group
  7. LAMEX FOOD GROUP LIMITED filing history - Companies House
  8. https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/2025/november/05/stevenage-fc-opens-stadium-naming-rights-opportunity-after-15-year-lamex-partnership/
  9. Stevenage FC supremo Phil Wallace: I'm honoured to have been ...
  10. boreham wood football club limited - Companies House
  11. Club History - Boreham Wood Football Club Official Website
  12. https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/stevenage-fc-behind-scenes-league-one-smartest-club-4024127
  13. Phil Wallace - Manager profile | Transfermarkt
  14. What do you need to run a sustainable EFL club? Luck, says ...
  15. Phil Wallace's inside story on the January Transfer Window
  16. Stevenage chairman Phil Wallace on why he would 'go to war' for ...
  17. Inside Stevenage: Phil Wallace on resetting the culture ... - Sky Sports
  18. Stevenage: FA Trophy Final 2007 - BBC
  19. Stevenage's survival hopes all but over after Macclesfield hearing
  20. Stevenage FC: On The Road To Success | FTN - Football Team News
  21. Stevenage: Chairman Phil Wallace urges council to act over ... - BBC
  22. Our Trustees - Stevenage FC Foundation
  23. stevenage football club foundation limited - Companies House
  24. STEVENAGE FOOTBALL CLUB FOUNDATION LTD - 1140006
  25. English club Stevenage hope funding plan is blueprint for future
  26. Stevenage FC Foundation – Official Independent Charity of ...
  27. Stevenage FC Foundation launch 2023/24 Impact Report
  28. Stevenage FC Foundation and train firm GTR launch Step Up ...
  29. Stevenage FC Foundation awarded £37500 grant from Sky Bet EFL ...
  30. Be Part Of The Foundation's Giving Day 2024 – Stevenage FC ...
  31. https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/2025/november/07/stevenage-football-club---foundation-celebrate-efl-week-of-action/
  32. Queen's Birthday Honours list 2020 in full - from Marcus Rashford to ...
  33. 2020 Honours list: MBEs for Rashford and Muirhead; Foster knighted
  34. Altrincham Football Club News Archive May 2006
  35. Football | Non League | Conference appoints vice ... - BBC SPORT
  36. Boro chief tells Non-League Paper he'll back three up but at a price ...
  37. Bulls boss battles for promotion change | Hereford Times
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