FA appoints Rupinder Bains as First Asian Director

After a series of reforms, Football Association (FA) revealed that Rupinder Bains will join its governing body. She will become its first Asian director and the second woman to join the board.

Her appointment was approved by both Premier League and EFL on 16th November 2017. Rupinder will act as FA’s third non-executive director, following changes made to eligibility.

Previously, rules meant that a Professional Game (PG) board member should also work as a club or league official.

However, the FA have scrapped this in order to create a diverse governing body.

In addition, they were required to select a woman for the position, which became open after Dame Heather Rabbatts resigned. With Rupinder joining, this puts an end to an all-white board and addresses the under-representation of Black, Asian and ethnic minorities (BAME) in football.

The newly-appointed director revealed her excitement, saying:

“I’m very proud and honoured to be offered this role within The Football Association. This is an organisation with fantastic history and traditions, governing a huge constituency of footballing personnel from grassroots up to international level.”

Rupinder explained her hopes for making a lasting impact:

“It is a significant moment in the governance of The FA and I am delighted to be embarking on a journey looking at the broader issues and I am hoping to be able to contribute to the evolving and developing nature of The Football Association and to the most widely supported sport in the world.”

Greg Clarke, FA Chairman also said:

“She brings to the Board a demonstrable track record of success in business and a good knowledge of football from her legal and commercial work.”

Hailing from a law background, Rupinder first qualified in 1999. She created her own firm called Pinder Reaux & Associates in 2005, where she serves as the managing director.

In October 2017, FA had announced Kate Tinsley as a new director, quickly following Rabbatts’ resignation. But the organisation must appoint a third female member to meet its diversity mandate.

With senior independent Roger Devlin’s office finishing in December, the FA plans to appoint a third woman.

DESIblitz congratulates Rupinder Bains on this historic appointment!