Football Association nominates Hewitt as first female chairperson

Debbie Hewitt has been nominated as the new chair of the FA, with effect from January 2022, the governing body has announced.

Hewitt, who agreed to take the role in principle, is set to become the first woman to lead the organisation in its 157-year history after receiving a unanimous nomination from the FA board.

A seven-member selection panel, led by independent non-executive FA director Kate Tinsley, picked Hewitt after considering her extensive non-executive career spanning over 15 years in Listed, private equity-backed and privately-owned companies, across many different sectors.

“The panel were in full agreement that she has the outstanding chair and governance expertise, across an extensive range of business sectors, as well as the proven leadership qualities and character required for the role,” said an FA statement.

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Hewitt, whose appointment is subject to ratification by the FA council at their next meeting on July 22, will succeed the interim FA chair Peter McCormick .

She is currently the non-executive chair of Visa Europe, The Restaurant Group plc, BGL Group and White Stuff, and was awarded an MBE in the 2011 New Year’s Honours List for services to business and the public sector.

She will step down from The Restaurant Group, which includes chains such as Wagamama and Frankie and Benny’s, after six years in the role when she joins the FA.