LONDON: The Football Association has set its sights high as it starts the search for a chairman to succeed David Bernstein whose tenure expires next year after he hits the age limit of 70.

Qualities demanded are set out in the advertisement which appeared in the quality media over the weekend and included the condition – almost as an afterthought near the end – that a “strong interest in football is essential.”

The fascination in the advertisement is the description of how the FA sees itself – as a “multi-faceted commercial group with a turnover in excess of £300m primarily from media rights, sponsorship and merchandising/ticketing.”

It makes “significant profits which are then strategically reinvested back into the game.”

The new man – or woman – is expected to an “experienced senior leader . . . a natural collaborator” and in possession of  “high levels of political sensitivity and judgment.”

And anyone interested needs to commit a minimum of two days a week to the job.

The full text

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

The Football Association – Wembley Stadium

The FA is the governing body of football in England and is responsible for promoting and developing the game at all levels from grassroots through to the professional game and the England international teams.

The FA is a multi-faceted commercial group with a turnover in excess of £300m primarily from media rights, sponsorship and merchandising/ticketing. Both Wembley Stadium and St George’s Park are wholly owned subsidiary businesses. The group makes significant profits which are then strategically reinvested back into the game.

As chairman you will be expected to be an ambassador for the FA and football, ensuring the organisation promotes exemplary corporate governance and transparency while continuing to develop as an effective and representative governing body fully equipped to lead, develop and govern the modern game.

An experienced senior leader, you will have recent and relevant experience within a complex multi-stakeholder environment, with demonstrable levels of commercial and financial acumen enabling you to lead the board. In addition you will posses both the ability and the gravitas to provide independent support and challenge to the board.

You will be a natural collaborator able to build effective relationships with all the stakeholders both within and external to the football industry and possess high levels of political sensitivity and judgment. A strong interest in football is essential.

It is anticipated that the time commitment will be a minumum of two days per week.

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