Birmingham City Women Football Club has been acquired by Shelby Companies Limited, an affiliate of Knighthead Capital Management, LLC, the holding company that controls Birmingham City FC. The acquisition, confirmed on February 17, 2026, sees the women's team become a technically separate entity.
Former England international and Birmingham player Karen Carney OBE is among the minority independent investors. Ex-tennis star Kim Clijsters also joins the investment group, which includes several prominent female business leaders.
The move aims to elevate the focus on the women's team and support its ambition to compete at the highest levels of the women's game, reflecting Knighthead's commitment to women's sport in Birmingham. The club's leadership team will continue day-to-day operations with no immediate staffing changes.
