Monica Shafaq and Jackie Newcombe have become the first female trustees of The PFA Charity.
Jackie runs her own business consultancy and brings with her a wealth of experience in marketing and communications, having served on the board of the UK’s largest magazine and digital publisher for ten years.
“I am honoured and excited to have been asked by the Players Board to join the PFA Charity as a trustee, to help support and develop the fantastic work it does for professional footballers and the wider community.
“I have been a football fan all my life and am particularly pleased to see how the women’s game has started to flourish in recent years. I’m proud to be one of the first two women ever to be appointed to the PFA Charity Board and am committed to ensure that we develop the charity to help improve the lives of all our beneficiaries.”
Monica Shafaq is the CEO of mental health and wellbeing charity, The Kaleidoscope Plus Group. She has dedicated much of her career to promoting the role of women and Black and Minority Ethnic individuals in leadership roles. She is currently a Non-Executive Director at Birmingham County Football Association, The Paul Canoville Foundation and Kidderminster Harriers FC. She is also an active member of the Premier League’s Equality and Diversity Panel.
Speaking about her new position on the board, Monica Shafaq said, “It’s a great privilege to be one of the first women appointed to the board of the PFA charity, as well as the first female of colour.
“I’m looking forward to supporting the PFA Executive to continue to help maximise the PFA Charity’s effectiveness at a time of considerable change.”
Brendon Batson OBE, PFA Charity Chairman welcomed the new trustees, “We are delighted to welcome Monica and Jackie to the Board of trustees. Their knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we continue to support our players. We very much look forward to working with them.”
