Chair of the Board

Independent Non-Executive Director (Women and Girls')

Karen Bardsley

Karen Bardsley, who has represented England on 81 occasions, is the first professional footballer to sit on a County FA’s Board of Directors.

Senior Non-Executive Director

Chris Brindley MBE

After Executive roles with NatWest, British Gas and Metro Bank, Chris now has a portfolio of NED and Chair roles in Business and Sport. He also is a global keynote speaker and Executive Coach.

He is Chair of the Rugby League World Cup 2021, Senior NED at the Rugby Football League, ( RFL ) a Board member of the Super League, Senior NED of the Manchester Football Association, NED at Equilibrium LLP and Chair of the Sporting House Group. 

From an Executive coaching perspective, Chris is the Leadership and Business Coach at Metro Bank, Switch the Play, Athlete Inspire Programme and Goodson Thomas. Chris has coached Executives from companies such as Heineken, Muller, Telent and Halfords. Chris is also a Business Mentor for the Premier League, Elite Academy Managers Programme.

Chris describes himself not as a theorist, but a skilled and experienced practitioner. He is a leading authority on Performance Management, Strategy, Customer Experience and Employee Engagement; particularly within organisations where change is a feature.

Executive Director

Rebecca Britain

Rebecca Britain joined Manchester FA's Board of Directors in March 2020.

 Rebecca is currently Club Secretary for Manchester United, a position she has held since March 2018. Prior to her role with Manchester United, Rebecca was Football Secretary at Tottenham Hotspur for over 18 years, and before that, worked in West Ham United's Community Scheme.

 Independent Non-Executive Director

Will Blandamer

Will is the Executive Director for Health and Adult Care at Bury Council and Bury Clinical Commissioning Group.

Will is a senior public service manager working in NHS and local authority services, focusing on integrating health and care and wider public services, improving population health and reducing health inequalities, and believing in the power of individuals and communities to be supported to be in control of their lives.  

In his spare time, Will works as the Chairman of a grassroots football club which is affiliated to Cheshire FA.

 Independent Non-Executive Director

Anthony Lawler MCIPD

Anthony has gained more than 37 years of HR experience across both the private and public sectors. The majority of his career has been spent at senior and executive level in the sporting sector, including more than two decades at Manchester United Football Club.

He now works as Human Resources Director for People Horizons, where he has provided strategic HR support to companies in the FMCG, engineering, professional PR, real estate and sporting sectors.

 Independent Non-Executive Director

Geraldine Ryan

Geraldine leads CMS UK’s Manchester office, where she leads a team of litigators and works with colleagues from across the firm. 

Geraldine has almost 30 years' experience in handling all types of high-profile, high-value and complex litigation, including judicial review and arbitration. 

She specialises in commercial dispute resolution, breach of contract and professional negligence claims and regularly advises clients regarding contractual termination issues. She has successfully represented clients in the Court of Appeal in two significant contractual cases on contract interpretation and restraint of trade. 

Geraldine is also recognised for defamation and reputation management issues and was one of a very small number based outside London who acted in the phone hacking claims. 

She has advised clients on competition law issues, including advice for a large corporate client in respect of potential abuses of dominant position, issues surrounding restrictive covenants in leases and separately in respect of the development of out of town shopping centres. 

In 2017, the Manchester Evening News listen Geraldine as one of their Top 100 Inspirational Women. She sits as a Judge on the MEN Business of the Year Awards, and is a regular speaker at sport and business events, where she advocates the role of women in sport and business.

 Independent Non-Executive Director

 Dr Robina Shah MBE JP DL FRCGP (HONS) SHFEA

Robina is a Chartered Consultant Psychologist, Professor of Medical Education and Psychosocial Medicine and Director of the Doubleday Centre for Patient Experience in the Division of Medical Education, University of Manchester. 

She is an established author with a specialist interest in the practice of psychosocial medicine, person centred care and supporting children with a learning disability. 

She is also passionate about promoting young people and involving them in decisions about their education, health and mental well-being.

Executive Director

Elliot Ward

Elliot is an experienced PR, corporate communications, media relations and public affairs professional, with expertise in the sports industry. 

He is currently PR Manager at Manchester City Football Club where he is responsible for ‘off the pitch’ PR, corporate communications and public affairs. Elliot also supports communications activities globally for Manchester City and City Football Group’s network of clubs. 

Prior to this, Elliot was appointed as Manchester City Women’s first Communications Manager and led on all aspects of communications during an unprecedented period of success for the club. In his time at Manchester City, Elliot has also worked within the club’s Media Relations department. 

Elliot is an award-winning graduate with BA (Hons) Politics and Modern History and MA Political Science - European Politics and Policy, from the University of Manchester.

In addition to his role at Manchester City, Elliot is an Executive Director at Manchester FA where he provides counsel and advice in the areas of marketing and communications.