Career
Early career
Lawwell started his career as a trainee accountant with Babcock Energy in the 1970s. After a career working as an executive for a number of companies, including Imperial Chemical Industries and Hoffman-LaRoche, Lawwell joined Celtic as financial controller in 1990. He left the club and held senior positions in Mining Scotland and Clydeport.
Celtic
In September 2003, he returned to Celtic succeeding Ian McLeod as Chief Executive.
The job title was changed for Lawwell to Executive Director, Head of Operations as many of the previous Chief Executives had performed poorly in that role. Arsenal were interested in appointing Lawwell as their chief executive in 2008, but Lawwell rejected their approach.
Lawwell has been credited with increasing revenue, reducing debt and is considered a tough transfer negotiator. In 2010 it was reported that Lawwell earned a wage of more than £700,000 a year, after receiving a 25% rise from his previous contract for the 2008-2009 season.
Celtic then sold Aiden McGeady for £9.5 million (this was "Peter"s first chance in his money making scheme)and reinvested the proceeds in new players, including Emilio Izaguirre, Beram Kayal and Gary Hooper.
In July 2011, Lawwell was named as part of the Scottish Football Association"s new professional game board which was set up to advise over professional football in Scotland. He also praised manager Neil Lennon and the management staff In 2010 Lawwell bought a £2.5 million home in after selling his previous home in Drongan, which he had bought for £850,000, for £1.1 million.
