Football enthusiasts, players, volunteers, coaches and corporate professionals who’d like to make a difference within one of the largest County FAs in England can join an open application process to become an Essex County FA Independent Non-Executive Director.

An individual with legal and governance expertise is required to fill this voluntary vacancy, with submissions welcomed until the extended deadline of 10:00am on Monday 17th January 2022. Essex has more than 4,700 teams, and we're committed to maintaining a structure of diverse skills, experience and backgrounds which can add value to the game.

Therefore, it’s crucial to attract and recruit the best candidate for the role. The Essex County FA ‘Moving Forward’ Strategy 2024 outlines a strategic vision to “create a united grassroots football environment which delivers football opportunity For All.” One objective is ensuring the corporate governance structure of the County FA is operating effectively and efficiently.

To support this, The FA developed the County FA Code of Governance, which we have committed, at Board level, to achieving. The recruitment of Independent Non-Executive Directors is assisting us to achieve this.

Chief Executive, Brendan Walshe, explains: “We have already made good progress with regard to our work around the County FA Code of Governance, demonstrated by our recent appointments, at Board level, of Independent Non-Executive Directors, as well as the review of our Board structure to allow the Board to increase in size to nine Directors.”

“This allows a greater diversity of skills, experience and of thought at Board level. We are now seeking to continue that progress with the recruitment of Legal or Governance expertise to assist, and add value, at Board level.”

“There are many skilled individuals within the football community. This Independent Director recruitment process will enable people who have a passion for football, and high-level expertise gained from professional or voluntary roles, to apply directly to serve on our Board.”

Chairperson, Andy Chaplin, added: “The Board discussed this, and identified this area as one of need. Essex has an abundance of skilled individuals from a variety of sectors and we’re looking forward to the recruitment process and meeting individuals, in both the professional and voluntary sectors, who feel they are able to support the ongoing development of the Essex County FA.”

“Achieving the County FA Code of Governance is an important objective within our Moving Forward Strategy, which the Board are keen to work towards. It’s important our Board is reflective of the diverse Essex community so we can continue to evolve as best we can for the benefit of local football.”

Details of the skills and experience required, as well as our organisational values and the application process, can be found below. Grassroots football news can also be found on Twitter @EssexCountyFA and by searching for ‘EssexFootball’ on Facebook.