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OUR TEAM
The team at Bloomsbury Football is a community of game-changers who are committed to using the power of football to change the lives of young people in London.
Across on & off pitch roles, all Bloomsbury Football staff are united by a common vision: a world where football is used to overcome some of the most pressing challenges faced by young people in our society. We believe that the beautiful game is something that should be accessible to all and work each and every day to ensure that this vision becomes a reality.
From 4 staff members working in a small basement room in Bloomsbury in 2018 to over 70 members of staff in 2023, the Bloomsbury Football continues to grow as we change the game for more young people in London.
OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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Chair of the board of Trustees
Charlie Cowen
Charlie is the Director of the Men’s Professional Game at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). He oversees the men’s professional game, supporting First Class Counties on and off the pitch.
Before joining the ECB he was a Partner at Portas Consulting, a sport-focused global consultancy where he worked with leading football organisations such as UEFA, the FA and the Football Foundation to develop and implement their strategies and help drive their growth. Prior to Portas, Charlie led the Commercial team and New York office for a leading AI fintech company. -
Trustee
Ed Woodward
Ed Woodward is the former CEO of Manchester United. Leading one of the world’s largest clubs, Ed has experienced the power of football on a global scale and has worked with managers and athletes at the highest level of the game.
Ed is a qualified accountant and before his role at Manchester United, he was an investment banker at J.P. Morgan. In his role of Trustee, Ed brings his unique skillset to support our CEO Charlie and team to achieve the ambitious goals set in our 2023 – 2028 Strategy. -
Trustee
Samantha Bunis
Samantha is a marketing and communications leader with expertise in brand growth, digital transformation, partnerships and customer experience. She sits on the Exec Team at the Football Foundation – the Premier League, The FA and Government’s charity, the largest sports charity in the UK; and in addition to her role here, she is a Non-Exec Director of the RAF Museum.
She has worked both agency and client-side, energising some of the most exciting commercial and charity brands in the world. At Bloomsbury Football, she advises on strategy and operations. -
Trustee
Sharon Bennett
Sharon is a marketing and communications professional with broad agency and industry experience. She has worked with some of the largest governing bodies, clubs and events in sport, such as UEFA, The FA, The Open, Manchester City and the ECB. Sharon is currently a director at creative sports agency, TwelfthMan.
Sharon specialises in brand building, storytelling and creating fan experiences to grow commercial value and have a positive societal impact. At Bloomsbury Football, she advises on safeguarding, digital and marketing. -
Trustee
Theepan Jothilingam
Theepan Jothilingam is the Head of EMEA Equity Research at BNP Paribas, with a detailed history of working as a prize-awarded analyst in international financial services firms. Theepan has featured as an industry expert in interviews for the Financial Times and Institutional Investor.
On the Bloomsbury Football board, he provides expertise in the areas of finance, human resources and risk. -
Trustee
Murad Ahmed
Murad has been the Technology News Editor at the Financial Times since January 2022. Before this, Murad was Sports Editor, leading the FT’s coverage of the business of sport and top events such as the Olympic Games. In this role, Murad developed a deep knowledge of the football industry.
Murad is the co-founder and editor of FT Scoreboard, a weekly sports business newsletter, and he co-created and was the co-chair of the FT’s annual Business of Football summit.
OUR TEAM
Charlie Hyman
Founder & CEO
Charlie Hyman
Founder & CEO
Charlie founded Bloomsbury Football in 2018. As CEO, he has experience in coaching, management, marketing, strategy, business development and financial operations. Charlie also advises businesses, charities and governing bodies within the sports industry. In 2021, Charlie was London Sport’s Inspirational Young Person of the Year and was a Sport Industry 30 under 30 NextGen Leader.
Ben Barbour
Chief of Staff & Operations
Ben Barbour
Chief of Staff & Operations
Ben joined us in September 2022, after graduating in Economics alongside a background of working in football. He is Finance & Operations Manager and works to ensure that all processes are run smoothly so that we can deliver on our aims
Josh Arnold
Club Football Manager
Josh Arnold
Club Football Manager
Josh joined us in 2020, after studying for an undergraduate degree in Sports Business & Coaching and working as a Sports Teacher in a Preparatory School. He became Academy Manager in December 2021, overseeing the Boys and Girls Academy programme, and is passionate about young people maximising their potential.
Jon Kurrant
Club Futsal Manager
Jon Kurrant
Club Futsal Manager
JK joined us in August 2020, having played football as an Academy player at Arsenal, YTS Scholar at Charlton and professionally for Aberdeen, he made the switch to studying BSc Sports Science and completed his MSc in Sports Coaching. Here he founded ProFutsal and has represented England at senior level. He now heads the programme for the futsal department and oversees first team activity and development of youth boys and girls from U6 to U18.
Esme Scantlebury
Special Projects Manager
Esme Scantlebury
Special Projects Manager
Esmé joined Bloomsbury in March 2023 after finishing her studies in History and Latin American studies. Her background is in research into urban centres, forced displacement, and access to cities. She began as coordinator and now manages our Special Projects, which consist of our Refugee and Asylum Seeker Programme and our Disability programme. She is passionate about providing inclusive and accessible football for young people living in London and facilitating positive experiences of participation.
Francisco Ortiz Yuli
Head of Impact & Strategy
Francisco Ortiz Yuli
Head of Impact & Strategy
Fran joined us in February 2024, after studying an MSc in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the LSE. With experience in research, impact investment and consulting; he is passionate about impact measurement and systems change. Fran is in charge of Bloomsbury Football’s strategical growth, as well as Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) across all programmes.
Lydia Miles
Head of People
Lydia Miles
Head of People
Lydia joined Bloomsbury in July 2023 in the role of People & Processes Lead, straight after finishing her Biochemistry degree at the University of Bristol. Running the Biochemistry Society helped her realise a passion for working with and supporting the development of people, which she continues to do in her role as Head of People.
Richard Basteed
Head of Digital
Richard Basteed
Head of Digital
Richard joined as Head of Digital in June 2023 after graduating with an MSc in Design and Development of Digital Business, having transitioned into technology from a career in Risk Advisory. In his role Richard aims to leverage digital technologies to help Bloomsbury Football achieve its strategic goals.
Andrew Cowburn
INTERIM MARKETING MANAGER
Andrew Cowburn
INTERIM MARKETING MANAGER
Andrew joined Bloomsbury Football in January 2024 as Marketing Executive. He joined the team after working in a management consultancy and uses his creative background in Theatre to create authentic and compelling stories showcasing Bloomsbury’s social impact. He is an avid football fan and supports his hometown club AFC Wimbledon.