Plane flies over stadium floodlights

Board and Staff

Meet the Lincolnshire FA team

The Lincolnshire FA Board of Directors are responsible for the business affairs of the Association and determine the strategy, plans, policies and financial investment required to achieve the Association’s aims. As such, individually and collectively, the directors are accountable to the Membership. 
The Lincolnshire FA Board currently meet every six weeks, with relevant Board Sub-Committees meeting on regular occasions throughout the year. 

BOARD MEMBERS

Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam

Chair of the Lincolnshire Football AssociationProfessor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam

Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam (JVT) graduated in Medicine from the University of Nottingham in 1987 and has spent nearly 40 years working in medicine and public health.

From October 2017 until March 2022 Professor Sir Jonathan was seconded to the Department of Health and Social Care, England as Deputy Chief Medical Officer where his portfolio was vaccines, pharmaceuticals, health protection, and biosecurity. In that role he has been extensively involved in domestic vaccines policy, seasonal influenza, infectious disease incidents (Ebola, Monkey Pox), the Novichok attack, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

He was a member of the UK Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies and co-Chair of the Global Health Security Advisory Group  Pandemic Influenza Working Group. He has received multiple awards and accolades for his public communication of science and was awarded a Knighthood for services to Public Health in 2022.

“I am passionate about football. Football has been a big part of my life since childhood as a participant, a fan and now as a parent whose children play football in Lincolnshire. Participation in sport has a positive impact on our communities and for those individuals involved supports  health, fitness and wellbeing and teaches teamwork, leadership and confidence.”

Shan Jaehrig (She/Her)

ImageShan is the Senior Independent Director, FA Rep, and Director for Organisational Development.

Shan is a Partner in the local law firm Sills & Betteridge, specialising in employment and data protection. Shan advises local, national and international clients on all aspects of employment law, including discrimination and compliance with the Equality Act 2010.

Shan was a child protection lawyer at Lincolnshire County Council for 12 years in which capacity she sat on the local Safeguarding Board, advised independent enquiries into serious cases involving child abuse and implemented joint training with the Lincolnshire Police Force in relation to child online exploitation.

Shan is the Lincolnshire Football Association’s representative on the FA Council where she sits on its Judicial Panel and is also a committee member of the Disability Football Committee.

Shan is a Governor at Queen Elizabeth High School in Gainsborough and she is also a Trustee of the Disability Network West Lindsey.

Nick Hanson

Nick is the Lincolnshire FA's CEO.

Nick is responsible for shaping and leading the strategic direction and culture of Lincolnshire FA, and for leading the day to day running of the organisation - ensuring the effective delivery of its business plan and strategy. He works with the Board of Directors on matters relating to workforce, finance, corporate governance, football development and services, marketing, communications, public relations and risk management. He also ensures the Association effectively implement and maintains the FA’s Safeguarding 365 Operating Standard within Football.

Mark Pover

ImageMark is the Director for Football Growth & Retention.

Mark has over 30 years in sports and leisure management with a genuine enthusiasm for sport and a belief in its ability to break down barriers and strengthen communities. Mark played football in a semi-professional capacity and also coached football at Huddersfield Town and Leeds United. Mark was the England Deaf Team Manager and still enjoys playing football being a regular participant in the Lincolnshire walking football league.  

Mark is a Director of the Northern Premier League and worked for the Football Association for 17 years as the National Facilities & Investment Manager delivering over £1B of capital projects via the Football Foundation. This investment included schools, football clubs and local authority sites that have since benefitted millions of people. Mark also procured and delivered frameworks for 3G pitches (£150M), grass pitches (£10M) and modular buildings (£20M) and was also part of the FIFA technical advisory group.  

Liam Scully

Liam is the Director for Football Growth & Retention.

Liam has more than 20 years of experience working in football and communities, having started his career via an apprenticeship and working his way up to become Chief Executive of Lincoln City.

ImageHe is responsible for the day to day running of the Imps on behalf of the fans, directors and investors, including heading up a seven-man senior management team, and  more than 150 employees. He joined Lincoln City in the summer of 2017 as they returned to the EFL, helping guide the club to a further promotion to League One where they reached the 2020-21 play-off final.

Prior to joining Lincoln, Liam spent 16 years in various roles at Doncaster Rovers and the wider Club Doncaster group - starting as an apprentice funded by the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and graduating to a spell as Foundation chief executive then chief operating officer of Club Doncaster.

Liam also holds voluntary offices including chair of the English Football League Trust (EFLT),  trustee of Lincoln City Foundation, along with ambassador roles at the Asian Sports Foundation and XP Free School Trust. 
 
Liam is married to Jenna, who also has a distinguished career within sport and education. They have two children, Arthur and Jonah. His interests include football, golf, motorsport and spending time with his family. He and Jenna share a passion for historic properties and enjoy travelling both within the UK and further afield.

Nick Vessey

Nick Vessey.Nick is the Director for Finance.

Nick was born in Grimsby, Lincolnshire and still resides there with his wife and three children. He has been involved in the grassroots game of football for many years through his son who has played in various leagues and tournaments across Lincolnshire and he is now looking forward to working with the Lincolnshire FA to continue their great work in developing and growing the game in our communities throughout the county. In addition to football, Nick enjoys motorsports and is an avid Superbike and MotoGP fan. 

Nick is a qualified accountant, a member of the Institute of Leadership and Management and the Institute of Directors with more than 25 years financial experience across multiple sectors. In his professional career as Chief Financial Officer and Group Finance Director, he has worked with businesses and their Boards to develop and implement financial controls, advise on strategic direction setting and the execution of strategic plans and to develop robust business plans and monitor performance against them and it is these skills which he will bring to the Lincolnshire FA to compliment the Board and to support its long term planning, sustainability and growth through the achievement of its five-year strategy.

Tony Reynolds

Tony Reynolds.Tony is the Director for Commercial growth.

Tony has built a 30-year career in Financial Services, with the last two decades as a Senior Director in Corporate and Commercial Banking for a major UK Bank. He brings extensive Commercial knowledge and experience to the Board to support growth and prosperity of the association. Despite working across the UK and based in London for a number of years, Tony has always maintained his home and family in Lincoln, where he was born and spent his childhood. In 2021, he decided to step away from his corporate career to focus on using these skills to add value to businesses and organisations in Lincolnshire, most recently working with Lincolnshire County Council on inward investment.

An avid Lincoln City supporter and season ticket holder, his love for the game started as a youngster watching Lincoln City with his father in the 1970s. Additionally, having spent many Sundays watching his children play local football from under 6 to under to under 15, he has seen for himself the excellent work and guidance young people experience from parents and volunteers involved in playing grassroots football. 

Tony says having the opportunity to put something back into the community, which contributes to the health and wellbeing of Lincolnshire people, is compelling and looks forward to contributing to making a difference.

Angela Westley

Angela is the Director for Inclusion.Angela

Angela has a background in research, insight and strategy, previously in the private sector and now within the sports sector, currently heading up the Insight & Strategy Team at British Rowing. Diversity & Inclusion is a big part of what Angela does day-to-day and she is passionate about tackling any inequalities within any sport. She has recently undertaken a large research study on the issues and challenges within the diversity and inclusion space, and believes it is critical to listen to the lived experiences of those who do not feel included.

Angela has lived in Lincolnshire since 2008 and has been part of the football community through her sons playing at grassroots level and within development programmes. She has lived and breathed football all her life and has enjoyed many moments in football grounds all over the country or on the touchline at the local field.
 

LINCOLNSHIRE FA STAFF MEMBERS

Meet the team...

Nick Hanson

Nick Hanson (he/him)

CEO, and Senior Safeguarding Lead 

Nick.Hanson@lincolnshirefa.com / 07733 473933

Nick is responsible for shaping and leading the strategic direction and culture of Lincolnshire FA, and for leading the day to day running of the organisation - ensuring the effective delivery of its business plan and strategy. He works with the Board of Directors on matters relating to workforce, finance, corporate governance, football development and services, marketing, communications, public relations and risk management. He also ensures the Association effectively implement and maintains the FA’s Safeguarding 365 Operating Standard within Football.

Chris Funnell

Chris Funnell (he/Him)

Head of Football Operations

chris.funnell@lincolnshirefa.com / 07535 402903

 

 

 

 


Jake Park

Jake Park (he/him)

Head of Football Development and Facilities & Investment Lead

Jake.Park@lincolnshirefa.com / 07989 226878

Jake strategically leads the Development Team, including all Pathway staff (Women & Girls’, Male & Mixed, Disability & Inclusion football and Refereeing). He is also the Strategic Lead for Inclusion and Deputy Senior Safeguarding Lead. His main day-to-day remit centers around Facilities and Investment into Lincolnshire Football, ensuring that every affiliated football fixture is played on a ‘good’ quality pitch. His role is to identify, activate and deliver priority projects for Football Foundation investment via Local Football Facility Plans (new 3G pitches, new changing room/pavilion projects, small sided facilities and grass pitch projects), and to protect existing football facilities and ensure that they are sustainable. He's also responsible for providing strategic direction to the Football Development Department

Kirsty Dixon

Kirsty Dixon

Football Development Officer (Women & Girls)

Kirsty.Dixon@lincolnshirefa.com / 01522 596580

Kirsty is responsible for leading the strategic development of Women’s & Girls’ football in Lincolnshire. The delivery of this includes creating, maintaining and communicating an inclusive player pathway for Women & Girls through; education, recreation, competition and talent to support growth and retention KPIs - as well as identifying, managing and developing relationships with key partners to meet the strategic objectives of the association. Kirsty is also tasked with supporting the county's existing Women & Girls’ League to grow and retain teams, as well as to support clubs to grow and retain teams and create female friendly environment through The FAs Equal Game Programme.

Jordan Mason

Jordan Mason (he/him)

Football Development Officer (Disability and Inclusion)

Jordan.Mason@lincolnshirefa.com / 01522 596580

Jordan’s responsibilities are to sustain and grow opportunities within the disability pathway, including both pan-disability and impairment specific formats, ensuring that people can enjoy the game irrespective of their disability or impairment. He also leads on the Association’s inclusion objectives, including achieving the Equality Standard for Sport, oversee the development and delivery of the Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, and provide general EDI support to the staff team. Jordan also maintains membership to the Lincolnshire Ability Counts League, playing an instrumental role in the development and delivery of the league.

Luke Craggs

Luke Craggs

Football Development Officer (Male Pathway) 

Luke.Craggs@lincolnshirefa.com / 01522 596580 

Luke's responsibilities include using analysis, data & insight to design and develop local solutions that meet local stakeholder needs across the male football pathway. He's also charged with developing an overview as to how adult football is played and structured in the county, both the affiliated & recreational game, in order to respond to areas of need or opportunity. This includes driving participation growth via recreational programmes by engaging a wide range of stakeholders and target a variety of participant groups based upon local demand. He also supports activities that ensure every affiliated football fixture is played on a ‘good’ quality pitch, and helps identify sources of funding that will be of benefit to grassroots football and provide appropriate advice and support to applicants, including small grants, as well as developing & enhancing Lincolnshire FAs partnerships with charity organisations. 


Michael Brader

Michael Brader

Referee Development Manager

Michael.Brader@lincolnshirefa.com / 07870 349245

Michael leads on the development of Match Officials in Lincolnshire. The delivery of this includes the recruitment of new Referees through FA Referee Courses, ensuring an inclusive environment for all Referees, supporting the New Referee Support Leads, the conversion of Trainee Referees to fully qualified, providing a progression pathway for all Referees, lead and develop the Referee team of Observers, Coaches and Mentors, support League Appointment Officers in providing maximum coverage of games, provide a pathway for all forms of the game (e.g. Walking Football, Futsal, Disability Football), and retain Referees year on year.

Ben Pearce

Ben Pearce

Designated Safeguarding Officer 

Ben.Pearce@lincolnshirefa.com / 01522 596580

Ben is responsible for managing the CFA’s safeguarding work, in line with legislation, FA Safeguarding Policy, Procedures, and Regulations. His role is to manage safeguarding and child protection concerns in a timely manner and in line with FA requirements and guidance, whilst significantly contributing to the implementation of The FA’s Safeguarding Operating Standard for CFAs. He works in partnership with The FA, statutory agencies and other relevant organisations to manage concerns effectively and efficiently. He also provides training, support and guidance to clubs and leagues on managing safeguarding complaints and concerns effectively, focusing on timeliness and outcomes in line with FA policy, regulations, and guidance.


Hayley Gregory

Hayley Gregory

Business Support Officer

Hayley.Gregory@lincolnshirefa.com / 01522 596580

Hayley investigates reported cases of misconduct and supports stakeholders with player registrations, club affiliations, league and tournament affiliations. She is responsible for: North East Lincolnshire, City of Lincoln (North), North Kesteven, South Holland and Boston for disciplinary matters and Boston, North East Lincolnshire and South Holland for Player registration and club affiliations. She also holds a role on the Rules Committee of the Association. She also offers support through the investigation process to all parties including clubs, participants- victims and accused (parents where applicable) and referees.

Stuart Houlton

Stuart Houlton

Business Support Officer

stuart.houlton@lincolnshirefa.com / 01522 596580

Stuart Houlton is Business Support Officer for the Lincolnshire Football Association, and is responsible for managing the effective and efficient running and administration of County Cup Competitions including the competitions finals, overseeing and coordinating the effective use of the FA Systems (Full Time, Clubs & Competitions Portal), Financial Management – including taking payments for Discipline Sanction, Affiliations and County Cup Entries, and managing and overseeing the Benevolent Fund. He also utilises Power BI to inform all compliance activity and take appropriate activity to address non-Provide the Designated Safeguarding Officer with regular reports on safeguarding activity within the Association.

Ali Hayes

Alistair Hayes (he/him)

Business Support Officer

Alistair.Hayes@lincolnshirefa.com / 01522 596580

Ali Hayes is a member of the Football Operations Team at Lincolnshire FA, working as Business Support Officer. His responsibilities include supporting clubs and leagues with FA IT systems such as Whole Game System, Clubs Portal, Competitions Portal and Full-Time, supporting Clubs and Leagues with Player Registration and Club Affiliation, reviewing rules submitted by leagues and tournaments for sanction as part of the Rules Committee, investigating alleged acts of misconduct under the FA regulations, working with the National FA Regional Discipline Manager to investigate serious acts of misconduct including discrimination and serious offences against a Match Official, and reviewing Lincolnshire FA’s discipline processes and external communication to increase confidence and demonstrate transparency to the grassroots community on the disciplinary process.

Zack Leader

Zack Leader (He/Him)

Media & Marketing Officer

Zack.Leader@lincolnshirefa.com | 01522 596580 

Zack leads on the development, implementation and review of the Association’s media, marketing and communications functions. His responsibilities are to enhance the image, profile, and reputation of the Association, maintain control over the Associations brand, Oversee the Associations website and social media channels, ensuring they remain a central resource for the dissemination of information to all stakeholders, co-ordinate the design and publication of the Associations printed material, develop links with local media to ensure that there is regular coverage of the Associations work, and manage ongoing commercial partnerships to ensure mutual expectations are delivered.

Related News

View All