Join the Northumberland FA as its new Chair of Directors, leading the Board to shape strategy, strengthen partnerships and support a thriving grassroots game.
Northumberland Football Association (NFA) is a forward-thinking not-for-profit organisation which leads grassroots football across Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland. Through our investment in the development of opportunities for anyone to take part in the game, we actively support thousands of players, coaches, referees and other volunteers whilst remaining committed to delivering inclusive, safe and enjoyable football for all.
With a vision which is underpinned by strong governance and ambitious plans for future growth, we now seek an exceptional Chair to lead our Board of Directors at what is an exciting time. Our new Chair will provide strategic leadership, support our CEO, Andrew Rose-Cook, and ensure effective governance as the Association delivers our ambitious plans — including developing our new hub, advancing participation and strengthening our role as a system leader for football across our region.
We are looking for an experienced and collaborative leader with a background at executive or board level, ideally with Chair or non-executive experience.
You will bring strategic insight, strong stakeholder skills and the ability to inspire a diverse network of staff, volunteers and partners. While knowledge of football is welcomed, a passion for community impact and inclusive sport is essential.
Who we are
NFA is the not-for-profit governing body and delivery vehicle for grassroots football across Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland, supporting a vibrant network of over 30,000 players, 3,000 coaches and 700 referees. With responsibility for more than 2,500 individual teams from across 300 clubs, NFA plays a central role in developing the game at every level, from youth football for under-7s through to walking football designed to support exercise, well-being and socialising for older generations.
Driven by a clear vision to lead the evolution of grassroots football towards an inclusive and sustainable future, the NFA is recognised for its strong governance, commitment to safeguarding, and pioneering work in equality, diversity and inclusion. The organisation operates from a modern, purpose-built hub whilst delivering an ambitious strategy focused on participation growth, referee and coach development and creating lasting community impact through the power of football.
Our governance underpins our success and has recently undergone development to better reflect our focus on promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. Whilst our governance is overseen by our Board of Directors, we have deeper discussions on key issues at our Committee & Group levels.
Alongside our new St Peter’s Sports Hub Working Group, which seeks to address the further development of our central site, we have a range of other sub-committees which are:
- Audit, Risk & Assurance
- People
- Inclusion Advisory
- Voice FC – our youth engagement committee
- Female Football Board
About the role
Our new Chair of the Board of Directors will provide inclusive, strategic leadership to the NFA, ensuring the Board operates effectively and fulfils its governance responsibilities. Accountable to the membership, the Chair will work closely with our CEO to oversee performance, guide long-term planning and uphold the highest standards of transparency, accountability and integrity.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the Board in setting and delivering the Association’s strategic vision and monitoring performance against its objectives.
- Ensuring effective governance, including compliance with relevant legislation and maintaining a clear distinction between board oversight and executive operations.
- Chairing board meetings, setting agendas with the CEO and fostering constructive, inclusive discussion and decision-making.
- Managing and supporting the CEO, including performance review, coaching and development.
- Acting as an ambassador for the Association, building strong relationships with stakeholders and championing equality, diversity and inclusion.
Through this role, the Chair will have a significant impact. You will strengthen governance, shape strategy and ensure the continued growth and positive community impact of grassroots football across the region.
Who we are looking for
Our ideal candidate will be an experienced and values-driven leader, capable of guiding a complex organisation and building strong relationships across a diverse stakeholder landscape. You will bring a strategic mindset, sound judgement and a collaborative approach to Board leadership.
We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:
- Senior leadership experience at executive or board level (e.g. CEO, Director, Chair or Non-Executive Director).
- A strong track record of leading or contributing to effective governance in complex organisations.
- The ability to think strategically and provide oversight while constructively challenging and supporting the executive team.
- Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, with confidence working with volunteers, partners and communities.
- A genuine commitment to inclusion, community impact and the development of grassroots football.
- Knowledge of football is beneficial but not essential; above all, we seek a Chair who is passionate about making a positive difference through sport and community leadership.
The time commitment for this role will be 2 – 3 days per month.
Learn more about us
- Our website
- Our board meeting schedule 2026 – 2027
- Our prospective governance structure 2026-2028
- Our organogram
- Our terms of reference
- Our grassroots strategy 2024 – 2028
- Northumberland FA accounts June 2025
- Northumberland FA Benevolent Fund accounts June 2025
- Northumberland FA Community Hub accounts June 2025
To view the role description and person specification, please go to the ‘How to Apply’ tab above, fill in your details and download the candidate pack.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Dan Baxter | dan@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07939 994524
Rachel Davies | rachel@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07961 208037
Welcome from the Chief Executive Officer
Dear Candidate,
Thank you for your interest in the role of Chair of Northumberland Football Association.
This is an exciting moment to become involved with our organisation. As a governing body and registered charity, our purpose is simple yet powerful: to use the power of football to improve lives and strengthen communities across Northumberland, Newcastle and North Tyneside.
Over recent years, Northumberland FA has undergone a period of significant transformation and growth. Through the dedication of our Boards, staff and stakeholders we have strengthened our governance, diversified our income streams and enhanced the support we provide to clubs, leagues, coaches, referees and participants across the game.
We have delivered major facility developments, expanded opportunities for women and girls, strengthened our safeguarding culture, increased participation across diverse communities and built strong partnerships that have enhanced both our impact and our long-term sustainability.
Today, we are recognised nationally as one of the highest-performing County FAs, with a reputation for innovation, collaboration and delivering meaningful outcomes for football and local communities. However, we believe our greatest achievements still lie ahead.
Football continues to evolve rapidly, bringing both opportunities and challenges. As participation patterns change, expectations increase and communities face new pressures, our role has never been more important.
We are ambitious for the future. We want to broaden access to the game, further improve the quality of facilities and experiences, strengthen our financial resilience, deepen our impact within local communities and ensure football remains safe, welcoming and accessible for everyone.
To realise these ambitions, strong and visionary leadership is essential.
The Chair plays a pivotal role in setting the tone and direction of the organisation, ensuring effective governance, supporting and challenging the executive team and fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion and continuous improvement.
Working alongside an experienced board and a talented executive team, our next Chair will have the opportunity to help shape the future of football across our region and influence the lives of thousands of people who participate in the game every year.
We are looking for an individual who shares our passion for football’s ability to create positive change; someone who can provide strategic leadership, bring sound judgement and governance expertise and help us navigate the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
Whether your experience comes from sport, business, the public sector, the voluntary sector or another field entirely, we welcome candidates who can bring fresh perspectives, diverse experiences and a commitment to helping Northumberland FA continue to thrive.
Thank you for considering this opportunity. I hope that having learned more about our organisation and our ambitions, you will be inspired to explore how you could contribute to the next chapter of Northumberland FA’s journey.
I look forward to receiving your application.
Yours sincerely,
Andrew Rose-Cook
Chief Executive Officer
Northumberland Football Association
Accessibility information
We understand that different members of the community have different access needs and have made some modifications to the way we do business to accommodate people from diverse communities and abilities.
We offer the following amenities:
- Step free access to the building, all key meeting rooms and bathrooms, and an accessible workstation
- Accessibility dogs are welcome
- Papers and materials can be presented in different formats
- A sign language interpreter can be accessed for interview
- Working patterns and locations can be adjusted
We are a Disability Confident Employer and we are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments as required.
To arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Dan Baxter | dan@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07939 994524
Rachel Davies | rachel@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07961 208037
Thank you for your interest in this role. Please download the Role Description and Person Specification.
To formally apply, please submit a CV and supporting statement (ideally maximum 2 sides of A4 each) that clearly outlines your suitability for the role against the criteria provided in the person specification, including your interest and motivation in applying for this position.
Please include your home address, contact email and mobile.
Please ensure that your application is emailed to response@peridotpartners.co.uk, inserting “Application: Northumberland FA — Chair” into the subject field. You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within 2-3 days. If you do not receive an acknowledgement, please contact our admin team.
For further information or to arrange a confidential discussion, please contact our advising consultants at Peridot Partners:
Dan Baxter | dan@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07939 994524
Rachel Davies | rachel@peridotpartners.co.uk | 07961 208037
As a sector-leading executive search consultancy, we know the importance of creating recruitment processes that are fair, inclusive and free from bias. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a process that values differences.
If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact the lead consultant. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.
Applicants with disabilities are welcome to contact us in confidence at any stage of the recruitment process to discuss any reasonable adjustments or support that may be required to ensure fair and equal participation.
Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.
Timetable
Closing date: 9 a.m. Tuesday 18th August 2026
Candidates informed of outcome: Friday 28th August 2026
First stage interviews (virtual): Friday 4th September 2026
Second stage interviews (in person): Thursday 10th September
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
Peridot and Northumberland FA are committed to promoting equality and diversity. To help us raise awareness and support a culture that is diverse and recognises and develops the potential of all, we need to appreciate the profile of candidates who apply for positions. We will send you an equality monitoring survey at the point of receiving your application and at the time of placement. This ensures that our processes remain inclusive and equitable throughout and provides us with important data to help us showcase our impact.
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