The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has appointed the first ever chairwoman of its board. The governing body, following a meeting of shareholders, has confirmed that Alys Carlton will succeed Sony executive Steve Dalton as its independent chair.
The FAW has also appointed Sameer Rahman, who has set up numerous companies and held senior roles with firms like GoCompare and the Royal Mint, as an independent non-executive director. He is currently also a board member of Glamorgan Cricket.
Dr Carol Bell, who has held numerous senior roles in the investment banking and energy sectors, has also been appointed to a second term on the board as an independent non-executive.
Ms Carlton began her career in London as a corporate lawyer with "magic circle" firm Allen & Avery before returning to Wales to work for Cardiff-based commercial law firm Capital Law. She currently runs her own business providing coaching, mentoring and strategic advisory services to senior leaders globally.
Chief executive and FAW board member Noel Mooney said: "We are delighted to welcome Alys Carlton to chair the FAW board and to build upon the huge contribution made by Steve Dalton, who has steered the organisation through significant governance changes that will benefit Welsh football for years to come. I’d also like to thank Tim Naylor who has been a wonderful member of the FAW board and we wish him very well in the future.
“In Alys Carlton, we bring a strong legal and leadership lens to our board. Carol Bell will remain with the board for a new term bringing huge financial management experience and sustainability experience, and chairing our finance, audit and risk committee. Meanwhile, Sameer Rahman has a great data insights and commercial background with experience across Welsh sport. This is another step forward for Welsh football as we look ahead to a very bright future.”
Outgoing chair Mr Dalton said: “I’m incredibly proud to have been at the FAW for seven years and privileged that four of those have been as chair. As an organisation we have been through many significant changes having modernised the governance structure to ensure that we are well placed to evolve both on and off the field.
“During my time at the association, we have grown participation levels by record numbers, increased the interest in the women’s and girls’ game and are building better grassroots facilities throughout the country to aid the development of our young players and their communities. We were also recently voted the UK sport organisation of the year, which is recognition for everything that has been achieved.
“I step away from the position of chair to show leadership from the very top of the organisation, as we pursue our strategic aims to ensure we have diversity in our decision-making. We want our decision-makers to be representative of those who are involved in football throughout the country. The new chair and the board can look forward to a vibrant future as they continue to grow the game for all. I wish them all the very best for the future."
The current four-year term of the council of the FAW will come to an end of July. The election process for a new FAW council is currently ongoing.
The FAW board members include independent chair Alys Carlton, independent directors Dr Carol Bell and Sameer Rahman, FAW president Stephen Williams, FAW officers Mark Adams, Mike Jones and Will Lloyd-Williams, chief executive Noel Mooney and three elected council members, to be confirmed following the FAW council elections.
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