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Dawn Airey, former CEO of Getty Images and Channel 5, has been appointed Chair of the new joint Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship Board.

The 11-strong Board, including six women, has been established by The Football Association as part of its commitment to growing the women’s game.

It will oversee the future strategy and policy of the professional game and make its recommendations to The FA Board about certain issues as it looks to determine what will be in the best interest of the leagues.

The landmark partnership in March between Barclays and The FA saw Barclays unveiled as the title sponsor of the FA Women’s Super League - the biggest ever brand investor in UK women’s sport.

Speaking about the new Board, Dawn said: "This is a perfect opportunity to build on the extraordinary momentum currently in women’s football.

"This summer the Lionesses captured our imagination with their skill, passion and excellence, and we’re hoping this momentum will carry on into the domestic game in the upcoming season.

"With this in mind, the new joint Board will look to support The FA further as it continues to grow participation in the women’s game."

The Chair's optimism and enthusiasm was echoed by Kelly Simmons, The FA’s director of women’s professional game.

Kelly added: "The new Board is a major step forward in the development of the women’s professional game.

"It has tremendous commercial and football expertise which will help transform the women’s game in England, growing audiences and revenue, and enabling it to become sustainable in the long term."

The Board members are:

Dawn Airey, Chair (Former CEO Getty Images/Channel 5)
Liz Nicholl, independent non-executive director (Former CEO UK Sport)
David Gregson, independent non-executive director (Former Chair Lawn Tennis Association)
Bruce Buck (chairman, Chelsea Football Club)
Svenja Geissmar (legal counsel, Arsenal Football Club)
Omar Berrada (group chief operating officer, Manchester City Football Club)
Rebecca Caplehorn (director of football operations, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club)
Nicola Ibbetson (commercial director, Aston Villa Football Club)
Lee Sanders (general manager, Durham Football Club)
Mark Bullingham (chief commercial and football development officer, The FA)
Baroness Sue Campbell (director of women’s football, The FA)
Sue Hough (chair of The FA Women’s Board)

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