Amanda Docherty has been appointed Communications Director of The FA.
Docherty will lead the reformed communications division in operation at Wembley Stadium and the national football centre at St. George’s Park.
As a member of The FA’s senior management team working into CEO Martin Glenn, she assumes overall communications responsibility for the organisation including its four-year strategic plan, England teams, The Emirates FA Cup, women’s football, the grassroots game and CSR.
She will be supported by Greg Demetriou, who steps up to become Head of Communications having previously led on corporate communications within The FA’s strategy team. The new appointments follow Scott Field’s departure from The FA to join the British Olympic Association as Director of Communications.
For 12 years, Docherty was the Communications chief at Arsenal FC and part of the senior executive management team. During her time with the Gunners she led on the communications strategy for the £400m relocation from Highbury to Emirates Stadium, handled ownership issues and reputation management of club personnel, football media relations for several trophy-winning seasons and devised compelling PR campaigns for Arsenal’s community outreach and charitable initiatives.
Glenn said: "I am really pleased to welcome someone of Amanda’s calibre and experience to The FA.
"We are embarking on a new strategic direction for the organisation and the importance of getting our messaging right is paramount. Highly respected across football with a great track record in communications, Amanda will be a significant asset to The FA at what is an exciting time for the organisation."
Docherty has spent the past four years running an independent communications consultancy specialising in football. Her work included linking up with Demetriou on FA150 - The FA’s 150th anniversary year - resulting in the creative and engaging year-long project being awarded CIPR ‘best sport campaign’ of 2013.
More recently she has worked with BT Sport on the sponsorship activation of The FA Women’s Super League and Inspiring Women In Sport initiative.
Demetriou has been with The FA for four years, having joined from West Ham United in January 2012. At West Ham, he was Head of Media and over five seasons was responsible for all of the club’s communications up to Board level including the successful Olympic Stadium project.
Docherty joins from Monday 1 February before commencing the role full time on 3 May. Demetriou will be the lead point of contact for The FA’s communications division until early May.
