Yvonne became Women in Football CEO in January 2022. Equality is a huge passion for Yvonne, from grassroots participation to the boardroom, and with over 20 years in the sports industry, she has experience across the board, in sport, health and business.

She began her career with Manchester-based charity GreaterSport, where she later became CEO and led the charity to unprecedented success, helping to put Greater Manchester firmly on the map as innovators, driving impact and changing lives through sport and physical activity. During her tenure she was awarded The Charity Times Awards – Rising CEO star, the Northwest Institute of Directors, Director of the Year for Public and Third Sector and was added to the Northern Power Women’s top 50 Power List, alongside the charity securing multiple awards.

In 2018 Yvonne became Managing Director for Project 92, overseeing the sport and education portfolio for the Class of 92, which included a game-changing higher education institution in Greater Manchester, UA92.

In late 2020 Yvonne established StryveUK, a sports consultancy which has worked with professional sports franchises, clubs, national governing bodies and charities as well as supporting individuals through executive coaching and mentoring. In addition to this, Yvonne is actively involved with several organisations in a Non-Executive Director capacity, and is Chair of Trustees for Foundation 92.

Ben Kensell joined Hibernian FC in the summer of 2021 as Chief Executive. He is one of the most highly regarded leaders in football, who spent three years as Chief Operating Officer at Norwich City before joining the Hibees.

The Englishman shares a vision with Hibs owner Ron Gordon – to take Hibs to the next level both on and off the field at Easter Road. Kensell is eager to make Hibernian FC an industry leader in Scotland and has a strong plan to take the Football Club to the next level.

Before joining the Hibees, Ben helped successfully guide the Canaries to promotion to the Premier League and oversaw a significant growth in turnover and commercial income during his three years as COO. Working in football for over 16 years, Ben enjoyed spells at Charlton, Arsenal and Norwich and has previously worked across a multitude of different sporting events including Wimbledon, the British Grand Prix and Royal Ascot.

Lungi has worked in professional football for just under a decade, leading several operational departments. Forming part of a senior management team that supports the board of directors, she is efficient in planning, organising, and working collaboratively to influence, design and deliver initiatives, essential to the accomplishment of the business.

She is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Birmingham City Football Club, having spent several years at Charlton Athletic. Her responsibilities vary from looking after the women’s team to safety operations across company sites.

She is a Director with Women in Football, having joined the board in May 2018 and has been an integral member in moving the organisation into its next phase of growth, influencing the industry at a truly revolutionary time.

In October 2018, she was named as a NextGen Leader for 2019 – one of 30 rising professionals from across the UK sports industry.

Lungi is especially interested in developing people and believes in the balance of diversity and representation at all levels of football.

Alistair Mackintosh joined Fulham Football Club as Chief Executive in the summer of 2008.  He was previously Chief Executive at Manchester City Football Club and over a ten year period saw the Club travel from the Second Division back to the Premier League and from its Maine Road home to the City of Manchester Stadium.

Having trained as a Chartered Accountant with PWC, Alistair spent a number of years working for Sony before entering the football business.  He has also held Board positions at a radio station, a museum, a leisure centre group and a charity.

Ben Mansford was appointed CEO and a Director of Blackpool Football Club in November 2019.

A graduate in Law, Ben is a qualified solicitor who specialised in sport, prior to becoming a Vice President at global sports management and media group Wasserman for many years.

He was appointed Chief Executive of Barnsley in 2013 and spent three years in the role at Oakwell, with the club achieving promotion to the Championship and a Football League Trophy success in his final season. Ben’s switch to Leeds United in 2016 then resulted in him playing a major role in the Whites’ resurgence.

In June 2017, he became CEO of Maccabi Tel Aviv, with the Israeli giants winning the championship in record-breaking fashion during his time there, as well as qualifying for the group stages of the Europa League.

Vivienne has over 20 years of experience working across public, not-for-profit and commercial sectors working at a senior level as a Management Consultant/Business Advisor, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Specialist. She wears many hats incuding Director/Advisor to the CEO of the Global Sport Digital Platform for Futsal called E-Sports Inc Ltd, Chair of the Footballer’s Anti-Discrimination Disciplinary Panel for the FA, Sport Resolutions’ Panel Member of Arbitration and Mediation and Non-Executive Director of Football at the London FA portfolio includes Chairing Women and Girls Advisory Group and the Inclusion Advisory Group. Also an Advisor (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner and Senior Leadership team. A mentor for young people and women in leadership, a public speaker, judge for events and experience of sitting on numerous committees.

Phil is one of the longest serving and highly respected CEO’s in the game having served 25 years at Crystal Palace FC. and is currently CEO at Bristol City FC. Phil has also served on The FA Council, representing the Premier League and sat on the FA’s Professional Game Board.

In his past he played professional football for Norwich City and was the placekicker for the London Monarchs American Football team, winning the World Bowl at Wembley in 1991.