FA looking to add diversity at board level in search for new directors

The Football Association is seeking to add two extra independent non-executive directors to its board.

The FA announced on Thursday that the board had unanimously recommended changes to its own structure to increase from 10 to 12 members, which have now been approved by the FA Council and shareholders. It is understood this will help it add further diversity at board level.

The board currently has nine members, two of whom are non-white and one from the LGBTQ+ community. Three members of the board are women.

In January, Debbie Hewitt will become the governing body’s first female chair in 158 years and return the board to 10 members, with the extra independent non-executive directors due to be appointed in the first quarter of next year.

Acting chair Peter McCormick, who is one of three professional game representatives on the board, said: “The proposed change of the board’s composition demonstrates the FA’s commitment to independent scrutiny.

“It will also provide the opportunity to bring individuals onto the board with complementary skills to the existing board directors.”

The composition of the board was thrust into the spotlight in July last year when former chair Greg Clarke initially said the professional game representatives blocked a review aimed at making it more diverse.

Later the same day he said his initial comments, contained in a letter to members of the FA Council, had been the result of a “misunderstanding” and added: “I recognise now that the views held by the members of the board were not as they first appeared, and that all parties do support a review of FA board diversity.”

Governance reforms introduced in 2017 limited board members to a maximum of three three-year terms, a reduction of the board from 12 to 10 members and a commitment to have three female board members by 2018.

The FA launched the Football Leadership Diversity Code a year ago, committing signatories including the FA itself, other key football stakeholders and clubs to improving diversity across senior positions.