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Women in Football are delighted to announce that Poonam Majithia is the first beneficiary of the inaugural Vikki Orvice Memorial Director Development Scheme.

Vikki was a founding member of Women in Football, a real trailblazer for women working in football and always stood up for those who lacked confidence or needed a guiding hand.

Women in Football launched the scheme to continue her legacy, offering one individual the opportunity to help develop the skills necessary to seek a board position by working closely with our board for a 12-month period.

"The standard of applicants was outstanding," said WiF CEO Jane Purdon. "We are delighted to offer Poonam the opportunity to experience first-hand how a board operates, and are all looking forward to working with her over the next year.

"The fact that so many exceptional candidates applied shows that there are many able women capable of becoming board ready. We hope many other organisations will follow our example by implementing a board shadowing scheme of this type." 

Poonam, who will attend her first board meeting in October, can't wait to get started.

"I am super thrilled to have been offered the opportunity to spend the next 12 months with Women in Football," she said.

"I applied for the Vikki Orvice Memorial Director Development Scheme in order to learn more about effective leadership from some of the most inspiring female role models in the industry and to gain invaluable exposure to a board-level environment.

"I am most looking forward to getting to know other women working in football across a variety of professions and I hope to make a positive contribution to this growing and dynamic organisation and to what it is trying to achieve."

Ian Ridley, Vikki's husband and a great ally of WiF, added: "Vikki was a great believer in, and supporter of, Women In Football and I know just how proud she was to be a founder and a board member.

"She would be just as proud now that WiF have established the Directorship Scheme in her name, memory and honour, as am I for my brilliant late wife.

"She would wish Poonam well and tell her to enjoy it - and dive right in. There are, as I have also seen through Vikki's work and getting involved with WiF through her inspiration, still a lot of women who need help and support both in the industry and with breaking into it."

We look forward to working with you, Poonam. Welcome!

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