Inclusion Advisory Group Chair in London

The Amateur FA is unique among County FAs. Formed in 1907, we exist wholly outside the football pyramid, preserving the amateur spirit of the game while supporting thousands of players, referees, coaches, volunteers, clubs, leagues and committees across London and the Home Counties. We’re proud of our heritage and tradition - and we’re building on that foundation to create an even stronger future. Help us become the most inclusive, welcoming County FA in the country.

We are recruiting a Chair for our Inclusion Advisory Group to help us deliver safe, fun and inclusive football for all and using the power of football to unite communities and improve lives.

The Inclusion Advisory Group (IAG) acts as the community for advice, check, and balance to Amateur FA's equality, diversity and inclusion work. It will comprise of a minimum of six members and a Chair with collective knowledge and lived experience of specific aspects of diversity related to protected characteristics such as race; gender (not the development of women's football); disability and mental health (not the development of disability football); sexual orientation and religion and belief. It will also focus on ensuring that the Amateur FA prioritises improved equality and inclusion through its service provision. The Inclusion Advisory Group will meet at least four times a year and is an independent Group that provides insight and advice to the main Amateur FA Board.

Role purpose: We are looking for a dynamic, self-motivated and proactive leader who wants to make a positive contribution to the strategic direction and governance of equality, diversity and inclusion in grassroots football within the Amateur FA. The person will use their knowledge, skill and experience to lead IAG members in order to identify strategic priorities and to promote equality, inclusion and diversity throughout the organisation and across local football. This will include:

• Chairing the Inclusion Advisory Group, meeting at least four times per year.
• Acting as an Amateur FA Board observer to report and feedback on the implementation and delivery of Inclusion initiatives.
• Challenging and supporting the organisation with new ideas, recommendations and insight in terms of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Working alongside the Board’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Champion to elevate The Amateur FA’s efforts, plans and outcomes.
• Supporting the delivery of the organisational Equality Action Plan.
• Advising on the Amateur FA’s equality objectives and ensuring they are embedded across the organisation.
• Promoting a culture of respect for inclusion and champion inclusion and equality issues across football and the Amateur FA.
• Checking and challenging the Amateur FA team members responsible for various equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• Promoting and highlighting best practice from other Governing Bodies and sports/organisations.

Key Skills and Experience:

• Be confident, skilled and able to plan, drive and Chair meetings.
• Possess a good understanding of grassroots football.
• To have knowledge of the key legislation and best practice aspects of equality, diversity and inclusion and to be able to promote inclusion and diversity as part of the group.
• Consumer-facing skills on the basis that everyone is a customer and therefore a consumer.
• To be able to identify key issues and trends that may help to promote the game through equality, diversity and inclusion interventions.
• To be able to undertake and utilise relevant research and analyse data, as required, to assist in making informed decisions.
• Experience of working with diverse groups and individuals.
• A degree of experience in the sports / football industry.
• To be able to successfully network with key staff and contacts within the Amateur FA and the area in which the Amateur FA operates.
• Knowledge of how to utilise and use appropriate and relevant social media.
• To be a positive team player within a group that will provide direction to Council members, Directors and staff of the Amateur FA.
• Good presentation skills.

Person Specification:

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion knowledge.
• Committed to creating football opportunities for all, embodying our mission and delivering our vision.
• Ability to communicate effectively and confidently.
• Adopting innovative solutions to ensure we stay ahead of the game and meet the needs of our football community.
• Positive attitude towards the requirements of the role.
• Work with local and national partners to offer benefits to our football community.
• Capacity to handle confidential information sensitively.
• Connected to the community we serve, implementing a customer-focused approach that puts the participant at the heart of what we do.
• Amiable manner.
• Applying our values of excellence, inclusion and innovation to everything.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to work in a professional manner as a representative of the Amateur FA.
• Ability to meet and work outside of normal working hours.

Time Commitment: IAG meetings take place at least four times a year. You will be expected to provide guidance, advice and insight for the executive to support them delivering specific equality, diversity and inclusion programmes and initiatives. While time commitments may vary during the year, the role will require approx. 4 hours each month. IAG meetings will usually be on a weekday in-person at the Amateur FA Offices, 7 Wenlock Road, London N1 7SL, online via MS Teams or hybrid with a mix of the two.

What can we offer?

• An opportunity to lead and Chair a committed group of volunteers.
• An exciting opportunity to be part of a forward thinking, progressive and evolving business.
• An opportunity to input into the shaping of strategic thinking and priorities.
• An opportunity to work with key stakeholders within the grassroots game nationally.
• Expenses in accordance with FA policies (where applicable).

Equality Statement: The Amateur FA believe that football belongs to, and should be enjoyed by, anyone who wants to participate in it. We are committed to promoting equality within the business in every aspect of its work and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and experiences to apply for this role, regardless of any protected characteristics or elements of social background. The Amateur FA is committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Disability Confident: We support making sure that applicants are supported in receiving an equitable recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please do not hesitate to get in touch with [email protected].

Further Information: Interviews for the role of the Chair will take place in September 2026. If you require any further information about the Inclusion Advisory Group member role, please contact Samantha Brown on [email protected].