A New Era for Football Governance – Roundtable Debate
When:
—
Venue:
Birkbeck Clore Management Centre
Football in England is entering a new era of governance and regulation. A new Independent Football Regulator (IFR) for English football is now a reality, with the Chair and CEO now appointed. Alongside this, the increasing application of financial crime and compliance frameworks across the sport, the coming years will redefine how clubs, owners, and governing bodies operate.
This event brings together senior figures from across the game to explore how these changes will shape the industry and how football can balance oversight, sustainability, and competitiveness in an evolving regulatory landscape.
Originating from the Fan-Led Review of Football Governance (2021), the creation of the IFR represents a landmark moment in the game’s modern history. Yet it also forms part of a broader movement towards enhanced accountability, transparency, and integrity, from ownership checks and licensing to anti-money laundering standards that will increasingly apply to football clubs and agents.
Hosted jointly by Goal Assist Limited and the Birkbeck Sport Business Centre, this roundtable debate will examine both the opportunities and challenges of this transition, asking how football can embed stronger governance while protecting its unique cultural and community value.
The session will be chaired by Birkbeck Sport Business Centre’s Sean Hamil and followed by an audience Q&A.
Panel Members
- Joshua Price – Founder & CEO, Goal Assist Limited
Joshua Price is the founder and CEO of Goal Assist Limited, a football governance and financial consultancy supporting clubs across the professional pyramid. A CIMA-qualified accountant and former member of the EFL’s Club Financial Reporting team, Josh specialises in financial regulation, licensing, and sustainability frameworks for football organisations. - Mark Devlin – CEO, Leyton Orient FC
Mark Devlin is an experienced football executive with extensive leadership experience across multiple clubs. As CEO of Leyton Orient FC, he has overseen significant growth in fan engagement and operational efficiency, drawing on a career dedicated to sustainable club management and community-driven football development. - Andy Abraham – Head of Supervision, Independent Football Regulator (IFR)
Andy Abraham is Head of Supervision at the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), leading on the implementation of the regulator’s oversight and compliance functions. With a background in regulatory strategy and supervision across multiple sectors, Andy brings valuable insight into how the IFR will apply principles of proportionality, accountability, and transparency to the football industry. - James Okeyemi – Financial Crime & Anti-Money Laundering Advisory, EMEA
James Okeyemi is a financial crime and anti-money laundering specialist advising across sport and investment management. He focuses on integrity, compliance, and regulatory preparedness, helping organisations navigate emerging financial crime regulations that will increasingly apply to football clubs, agents, and governing bodies.
This event is free and open to anyone with an interest in the governance, regulation, and sustainable development of the football industry.
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Contact name: Sean Hamil
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