FA recruits CFO from The Jockey Club
Another accountant joins senior ranks at the FA, alongside its general secretary and chairman
THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION has recruited Andrew Crean as its new chief financial officer.
Crean (pictured), who joins the FA later this year, was most recently group finance director at commercial horseracing business The Jockey Club.
The FA has a history of recruiting accountants to senior level jobs – its chairman, David Bernstein, is ICAEW qualified. Alex Horne, its general secretary, is also an accountant, having joined the FA in 2003 as finance director after working at PwC for several years.
His new role at the FA will incorporate overseeing the governing body of football in England, Wembley Stadium, the England international teams and the new St George’s Park complex.
Crean joined The Jockey Club in September 2010 and prior to that spent ten years at support services and catering company Compass Group. He was finance & commercial director at Compass, in charge of its sports leisure and hospitality division, which had a turnover of about £300m. During his time there., he worked closely with The Jockey Club Racecourses, the Rugby Football Union, The Brit Oval, ExCel London and Aviva Stadium Dublin.
Crean, who steps down from The Jockey Club in April, said: “I’m really looking forward to the challenge of joining the FA at an important time for the organisation and in its 150th anniversary year. It’s a fantastic role and an opportunity I’m grateful for.
“But I’m very sad I’ll be leaving a great team of people working for The Jockey Club.”
He succeeds Mark Donnelly at the FA, who leaves to become chief operating officer at Premier League club Queen’s Park Rangers.
Horne said: “I am delighted to welcome Andrew to the FA. It is an extremely exciting time for the organisation with plenty going on across all levels of the game.
“Our notable anniversary is being used to highlight the £100m we reinvest into football every year and our commitment to the grassroots. Andrew’s work will help us to further this important area of focus.
“I am confident Andrew will be able to add his considerable experience and expertise to the financial performance of the group, including the strong risk and business management processes we have in place.
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“He will also be responsible for the HR, IT and legal departments and I have no doubt his energy and enthusiasm will be welcomed by all staff.”