Board of Trustees

john brewer and jane bateman

John Brewer (Chair) was appointed in February 2022 and brings a wealth of experience from across the football and sports sectors. He was the first sports scientist to work in English football and is a Professor of Applied Sports Science and has held a number of senior leadership roles at UK universities. John has previously Chair of British Handball and British Ski and Snowboard, leading the sports to the 2012 Olympic Games and 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games respectively.

Jane Bateman (Deputy Chair) is the Head of International Relations at The FA. She brings over 30 years’ experience working across the football and charity sectors and has worked on major projects including England’s World Cup bid, Euro96 Soccer City and is also a Trustee of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation.

Paul Castle is a professor of sports physiology and has provided consultancy for many clients including Brighton and Hove Albion FC, UEFA and Team GB Paralympics for Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and London 2012.  He now works for GSK.

Neil Fairlamb is the Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods for Manchester City Council, previously holding the position of Head of Parks, Leisure, Youth and Events. He is also a Trustee at Wythenshawe Forum.

Catherine Forshaw is a Regulatory Sports Lawyer and Sub-Sector Leader of the Women in Football initiative at Brabners LLP. Prior to joining Brabners LLP, Catherine completed a six-month secondment with The FA at Wembley Stadium.

Steve Grace is currently Head of Audience Planning for BBC Sport, having spent the last 10 years working in audience strategy at the BBC and The LEGO Group.

Virginia Khoo is Head of UK&I Equity Advisory at BNP Paribas with over 20 years experience in Investment Banking in her current role and from J.P. Morgan Cazenove and KPMG.

Clive Memmott OBE has held many senior finance and leadership roles throughout his career, notability with Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Marketing Manchester and Greater Manchester Environment Trust.

Sam Patterson is the Marketing Director at FOOTY.COM. A digital and brand marketing specialist for over 15 years, she has previously held roles at Arts Council England, END. Clothing and Sage Gateshead.

Matt Pilkington has worked in the charity sector for the majority of his career and has over 10 years’ experience in senior fundraising and communications roles. He is currently a director at StreetGames, the national charity working to equalise access to sport for those growing up in the underserved communities in the UK.

Laura Pye is Director of National Museums Liverpool, having previously worked as Head of Culture for the Bristol City Council, overlooking the city’s’ five museums.

Rikki Singh is a former BBC journalist of over 30 years. He was also on the David Mellor Task Force looking into access and facilities for disabled football supporters and has also served on an FA Diversity Panel.

Cllr Angeliki Stogia is elected councillor for Whalley Range, and was previously Executive Member of Environment, Planning & Transport at Manchester City Council.

Tom Watt is probably best known as an actor, but has been writing, broadcasting and making documentary films about football for the past 35 years. He has contributed match reports, radio phone-ins, long-form press and broadcast features to every major UK media outlet.

Dr Wanda Wyporska is the CEO of the Black Equity Organisation, an independent, national Black civil rights organisation created to dismantle systemic racism in Britain, drive generational change and deliver better lived experiences for Black people across the country. She previously led the Society of Genealogists and The Equality Trust.