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Women in Football has appointed multi-award-winning sports industry executive Yvonne Harrison as Chief Executive Officer to succeed Jane Purdon.

From grassroots participation to the boardroom, accessibility is a huge passion for Yvonne – whose previous achievements have helped make a difference to people's lives through sport.

Yvonne joins WIF having recently established StryveUK, a sports consultancy which has worked with professional sports franchises, clubs, national governing bodies and charities. Her previous roles include Managing Director for Project 92 and Chief Executive at GreaterSport – initiatives which have helped to change lives in the Greater Manchester area through participation in sport and healthier living.

She said: "I'm so excited to be joining WIF, to lead the next phase of our journey. The work Jane and the team have done is amazing and I am looking forward to working with our members, partners and wider football ecosystem around the world to help create a football industry where everyone can thrive and reach their potential."

In addition to her role at StryveUK, Yvonne is actively involved with a number of organisations in a Non-Executive Director capacity, as an Executive Coach/Mentor and as a Trustee.

Yvonne's appointment comes at a key moment for Women in Football. While the organisation's high-impact #GetOnside campaign continues into 2022, WIF is enjoying a period of significant growth in membership and developing new partnerships across the football industry, most recently with the Premier League and Southampton FC.

 

Transformation

WIF Chair Ebru Köksal said: "The Women in Football board is delighted to have appointed a new CEO with Yvonne's talent and track record ­– not to mention the passion she shares with WIF for equal access to the positive transformation that sport can bring.

"Exciting times lie ahead for Women in Football and our members, and we could not have hoped for better leadership going into that period. With Yvonne at the wheel, we can't wait to see where the journey takes us."

With WIF's membership already having more than doubled under Jane Purdon's leadership, Ebru was also keen to pay tribute to the work done by Yvonne's predecessor.

She said: "The recent flourishing of Women in Football has been due in no small part to the wisdom, dedication and compassion that Jane Purdon has brought to the role of CEO. 

“The directors are unanimous in thanking Jane for her remarkable service and wishing her the very best for her future. We are very happy that she will remain on the WIF board so we can continue to benefit from her wisdom.”

Women in Football would also like to thank sports recruitment agency EISG for its support in the appointment of the organisation’s new CEO.

Yvonne is expected to formally begin her new role with Women in Football in mid-January 2022.

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