Football Foundation Appoints Robert Sullivan as Interim CEO

The Premier League, The FA and Government’s charity, the Football Foundation, today announced that Robert Sullivan has been appointed as its interim Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.

Robert joins the Football Foundation following more than a decade working at The FA, where he has led successful work in key areas such as strategy development, communications and international and corporate affairs. 

Robert brings valuable experience to The Football Foundation, which champions fair access to quality football facilities for everyone across England to improve lives and strengthen communities. He led the team that developed and delivered the pioneering Football Foundation Hubs investment model which has already seen the development of major facilities in five cities across the country, hosting over 1.5 million players taking part in games over the past year. He also chaired the Football Foundation Advisory Group in 2018, the key body driving Football Foundation investment strategy to ensure it makes the greatest impact in the areas where it is needed most. 

Martin Glenn, Football Foundation Chairman said: “Robert being appointed interim Chief Executive of the Football Foundation is great news for the charity and grassroots football community.  He brings a wealth of football industry knowledge, a deep understanding of the political landscape and strong strategic experience.

“Clearly, Robert is joining at a very challenging time for everyone.  The Board and I are looking forward to working with him as we steer further investment into the grassroots game over the coming months.

Robert said:

“I’m delighted to have been appointed interim CEO of the Football Foundation.  It’s a unique organisation, working together with the Premier League, The FA, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Sport England to deliver a plan that is transforming grassroots football facilities across England over the next 10 years.

“This is an incredibly difficult time for grassroots football.  Whilst fixtures may have suspended for the time being, it’s crucial Football Foundation work continues.  We’re processing grant applications as normal and making contact with our funded sites to understand their challenges so we can offer support where possible. When the Coronavirus passes, we’ll be ready to pick up where we left off in delivering outstanding grassroots facilities, at a time when I’m sure communities will be looking to enjoy all the benefits football brings like never before.” 
 

For more information please contact:
•    Rory Carroll on 07545 932432 or rory.carroll@footballfoundation.org.uk

Notes to editors:

The Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation is the largest sports charity in the UK.  It champions and supports fair access to quality football facilities for everyone, regardless of postcode, gender, race, disability or place.

The Foundation receives money from the Premier League, The FA and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, through Sport England.  This is matched with partnership funding and awarded as grants to create outstanding grassroots facilities that enable better games and attract more players, helping to transform communities.

The Football Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary next year.  Since 2000, it has awarded more than 17,500 grants to improve facilities worth more than £707m – including 882 artificial grass pitches, 3,398 natural grass pitches and 1,210 changing facilities.  This has attracted an additional £884m of partnership funding – totalling over £1.5bn investment in grassroots football so far.

Through the Foundation, the Premier League, The FA, DCMS and Sport England have come together to create the National Football Facilities Strategy (NFFS) that will guide work over the next 10 years to transform many more local facilities.  Local Football Facility Plans (LFFP) are being created to identify priority projects where demand is greatest, and the impact will be strongest and help stimulate the action required to deliver them.