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This is the Story of WIF – a new series where we’re looking back over the years since Women in Football first came together as an organisation back in the mid-2000s. Yesterday we focused on the early years and how we first came together, and today the timeline zooms in on some of the people who have played key roles in the development of our organisation – in other words, who we are.

 

2006

Initial discussions take place about a network for women working around the football industry, instigated by young sports journalist Anna Kessel. Anna approaches FA football development chief Kelly Simmons to plan an event.

 

2007

Anna collaborates with sports media professionals Shelley Alexander and Jacqui Oatley (later MBE) to run events at Charlton Athletic FC and West Ham United FC, and the group become co-founders of Women in Football.

 

2008–2013

The newly formed organisation of WIF continues to operate under the radar but starts to gain attention in the industry by running a series of events, bringing in star guests who include the then England manager Hope Powell (later CBE). New committee members include disability rights advocate Joyce Cook (later CBE, OBE; then chair of Level Playing Field), filmmaker Archana Kalyana, and Alex Fairhurst of the Football Foundation. Ruth Shaw (later OBE), then CEO at the Sports Grounds Safety Authority, and football agent Jo Tongue (later MBE; pictured) become directors.

 

2014–2016

Groundbreaking woman in football Ebru Köksal joins the WIF board. Sports lawyer Liz Ellen joins the board. Barclays becomes WIF’s lead partner. Increased income allows the organisation’s first staff members to be recruited in Clare Fitzboydon, Lucy Pepper and Sarah Gordon-Jones (the latter still with WIF today, as Events Manager).

 

2017

Heather Rabbatts, recently made a dame for services to football and equality, becomes a Women in Football ambassador. Jacqui Oatley, also recently honoured with an MBE, takes up the same role upon stepping down as a director.

 

2018

Ebru Köksal becomes Chair of WIF, and the Women in Football board is strengthened by the arrival of Sue Bridgewater, Professor of Sports Business and Marketing at the University of Liverpool; Ben Carter, then UK Marketing Director at Just Eat; and Lungi Macebo, then Head of HR with Charlton Athletic FC. Jane Purdon becomes WIF’s first CEO.

 

2019

Early WIF director and trailblazing football journalist Vikki Orvice is tragically lost to cancer. The Vikki Orvice Memorial Director Development Scheme is established, giving aspiring women in football a pathway to the boardroom; Poonam Majithia becomes the first beneficiary. Career consultant and Brentford FC director Monique Choudhuri (pictured) and top sports marketer Lisa Parfitt add further expertise to the WIF board of directors.

 

2020

Founder member Anna Kessel MBE steps down as a Women in Football director, but will continue to represent and support the organisation as an ambassador. The board is boosted by the arrival of the FA’s Kelly Simmons OBE and Paul Barber (later OBE) of Brighton & Hove Albion FC. Louise Matthews is hired in an admin position and will later become Business Support Manager. Chloe Morgan and Jade Morgan join as ‘board apprentices’ through the Vikki Orvice Memorial Director Development Scheme. Business Operations Manager & Events Manager Cassie Whittell leaves to join Brighton & Hove Albion FC.

 

2021

Michelle Dorgan joins the staff, heading up communications and marketing, followed by Pete Green as Communications Manager. Dan Taylor completes the overhaul by joining as Communications and Marketing Officer, while Cathy Bettinson moves on. Alejandro Amunátegui joins for a spell as an intern and then Commercial Assistant. Later in the year, after three years at the helm, Jane Purdon announces her intention to step down as CEO.

 

2022

Jane’s replacement as CEO, Yvonne Harrison, begins work in January. Head of Membership and Client Services Miriam Pedersen-Smith leaves WIF but the expansion of the team continues as Lisa Pool becomes Senior Commercial Manager, Amy Bullock joins as Partnerships Manager and Sarah Collins is appointed Client Services Manager. 

 

2023

Zarah Shah (pictured) of City Football Group becomes the latest beneficiary of the Vikki Orvice Memorial Director Development Scheme, gaining experience of the boardroom through an extended period at Women in Football. Sarah Abdulrahman joins the team for a spell as membership and comms support via the #Merky FC scheme set up by Stormzy and adidas.

 

2024

A group of members form WIF’s first ever Membership Committee, helping the organisation to reach and represent women in football more broadly and more deeply, bringing about meaningful engagement with a greater cross-section of the community. Michelle Dorgan moves on to become a freelance consultant but will remain associated with WIF by contributing to the Women in Football Leadership Course in partnership with Barclays. More new arrivals may be incoming… watch this space!

• Next in the Story of WIF: Speaking out

We've done our best to track back across all the comings and goings at WIF, but if we've left anything out, please email info@womeninfootball.co.uk and let us know.

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