Foundation appoints CEO

The UK’s largest sports charity, the Football Foundation, has appointed Paul Thorogood as its new Chief Executive to spearhead the modernisation of grass roots sports and football stadia. Paul Thorogood joins the Football Foundation following 30 years with the Royal Air Force. He will oversee the Foundation’s work in rejuvenating grass roots facilities and schemes.

He also takes charge of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF), which helps replace unsafe stands at football grounds with modern structures. Whilst in the RAF, Paul rose to the rank of Group Captain, specialising in operational logistics and, more latterly, in organisational change management and performance management.

His most recent appointment was with the Ministry of Defence, where he was responsible for all Joint Service aspects of the Defence Logistics Transformation Programme, the largest logistic change programme in Europe.

He brings a wealth of football experience having played at a competitive level early in his RAF career. For the past 20 years he has held key appointments on the RAF County Football Association Executive Committee, eventually becoming Chairman in 2002.

He succeeds Peter Lee (pictured), who has retired after 16 years leading the Foundation and FSIF. Peter Lee was appointed Chief Executive of the Football Trust in 1990 to oversee the implementation of the 1989 Taylor Report’s recommendations on radical improvement in the safety of football stadia, following the Hillsborough disaster.

In 2000, he was appointed the Chief Executive of the newly-established Football Foundation. He directed the new impetus into rejuvenating the grass roots of the game, with the modernisation of football grounds continuing through the parallel organisation, the FSIF.

To date, the Football Foundation has funded over 2,000 projects worth nearly £400m, ranging from free kit for junior teams to state-of-the-art multi sports centres.

This has completely transformed the landscape of school and community facilities. In addition, the Foundation has launched hundreds of schemes which have successfully turned around deprived communities, using sport to tackle issues like obesity and drug addiction.

Speaking for the first time in his new capacity as Chief Executive, Paul Thorogood said: “Peter Lee leaves me extremely well placed to take the Foundation to the next phase and beyond. I am extremely proud and privileged to be asked to lead such an enthusiastic, committed and talented team that is the Football Foundation.”

Peter Lee said: “The Football Foundation has made a real difference to people’s lives. Its legacy is clear in the new generation of state-of-the-art pitches and facilities grant-aided up and down the country.

“We have had a huge impact in increasing participation and tackling the social issues agenda, including health, anti-crime, education and inclusion.

“I would like to thank the Premier League, the Football Association, Sport England and the Government whose backing has made this possible.

"The expertise and enthusiasm of the Foundation staff with my successor Paul Thorogood at the helm will ensure the Foundation’s success is built on and the next generation of sporting infrastructure continues to provide for local schools, clubs and communities.”