Brentford FC Community Sports Trust (BFCCST) has announced the appointment of Graeme Atherton as its new Chair of Trustees, following the retirement of Ian Dobie after 20 outstanding years of voluntary service as Chair of the charity.

Graeme’s appointment is the outcome of an open, competitive recruitment process undertaken with the support of independent advisors, Eastside People.

Professor Graeme Atherton is the Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Regional Engagement at the University of West London, Vice-Principal, Ruskin College, Oxford and Director of the World Access to Higher Education Network (WAHEN).

Graeme has 30 years of experience leading, researching and working in the field of social mobility both in the UK and around the world. At present he leads on the University of West London’s partnerships with local, regional and national government as well as leading Ruskin College, which was established over 120 years ago to give educational opportunities to working class adults. He was recently appointed to the Department of Education’s widening access to higher education national task-force and named in the national social mobility Power List for 2025. He lives near Twickenham but comes from Blackpool.

Lee Doyle, Chief Executive and Founder of Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, commented, “Graeme brings a strong understanding of social mobility to the Trust. This is of particular importance as we expand our offer in the areas of education, training and employment, with the recent introduction of a new national apprenticeship designed for the Sport for Development industry.

“Graeme’s educational experience will add value to these areas and his skills will complement our current Board of Trustees. The Trustees group is currently 12 in number, a formidable off the pitch team.”

Driving social change

On being appointed as the new Chair of Trustees, Graeme said, “I am passionate about the work the Trust does using football as a catalyst to change the lives of those from the most challenging circumstances across west London. I hope that I can help the Trust expand what it does to reach more young people and families and become a regional and national beacon for the power of football to drive social change.”

Power of sport to inspire and transform lives

Stepping down after 20 years as Chair, Ian Dobie has been an outstanding and unassuming leader, who through hard work, dedication and achievement, has enabled the Trust to transform the lives of many thousands of children, young people and adults across the west London area, using the power of sport to inspire and transform life chances.

Under Ian's leadership, the Trust now provides football and wider sports coaching for boys and girls at its core, but also youth work, schools sports provision to over 100 schools, education, employability and training opportunities for young people and adults at risk, health and wellbeing provision and specialist support projects to vulnerable children and adults including young carers, children and adults with mental health and physical and learning disabilities, children leaving care and care experienced adults.

In 2013, the Trust played a key role in securing planning permission for the Gtech Community Stadium, with the community work and social impact of the Trust an integral part of the application for the new stadium. Once planning permission was granted, Ian played an instrumental role in laying the foundations for a new framework agreement between the Trust and Brentford FC, giving the Trust a role in the new stadium development in partnership with the football club. This is arguably Ian’s standout achievement as Chair, using his understanding of commercial development to contribute to the framework agreement, which will ultimately have a long-standing community impact and legacy for years to come.

Honour of a lifetime

On stepping down as Chair of Trustees, Ian said, “It has been the honour of my life to have worked alongside such a talented and dedicated Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, as Chairman of the Community Sports Trust.

“To witness the growth from a team of eight, delivering sports programmes, to what is today 160 staff, delivering a diverse range of activities and programmes to the local Community has been an absolute privilege.

“I wish Lee Doyle, the Staff and Board continued growth and success, working in what is such a unique and outstanding Community of West London.”

Passion for sport, people and life

Reflecting on Ian’s journey with the Trust, Lee Doyle, said, “The role of Charity Chair whilst voluntary carries significant responsibility in terms of governance, the charity’s users and its employees. It has been quite a journey with Ian as Chair.

“From when I first met Ian over 20 years ago, he saw our potential and invested in the vision, when it was only a vision. Ian’s passion for sport, people and life, combined with his business experience has led to him playing an integral part in the growth and sustainability of the Trust and he will always be part of our team.”

Eastside People

With a team of experienced professionals and consultants from diverse industries and backgrounds, Eastside People focus solely on providing consultancy and recruitment services for the charity and wider not-for-profit sector. The Trust has worked closely with Eastside People throughout the last 12 months with Graeme joining as one of four new Trustees appointed to the BFCCST Board this year. The other new Trustees are:

Dr Sharon Wright

Sharon is a self-employed consultant supporting senior teams on strategy, leadership and governance within the public, charity and not-for-profit sectors. She also works with public and private sector partners to engage schools, colleges and communities undertaking regeneration and education capital projects.

Previously, Sharon ran a not-for-profit company which promoted good school design and was an Organisational Development specialist at a large public sector consultancy. She started her career in the Civil Service, working on education and employment policy. Sharon lives in Brentford and is Deputy Chair of Bees United, the Brentford FC Supporters' Trust.

Modi Abdoul

Modi grew up in Ealing as a looked-after young person and has spent his career working to create opportunities for children, young people, and communities. Now Head of Resident Participation, TMO & Communities at Hackney Council, he brings over 15 years’ experience in youth work, community development, and governance.

A qualified Youth Worker and former Head of Community Services at Islington Council, Modi also works as an independent EDI consultant and has served on Ealing Council’s Independent Fostering Panel since 2008.

With a background in anthropology, he is passionate about change management, safeguarding, and building stronger, fairer communities.

Iain Preston

A devoted Dad, dogfather and Bees season ticket holder along with his wife and two boys, Iain brings a wealth of experience from his 25-year career in the advertising and consulting industries. This includes Board-level leadership roles with global agency networks, including Wunderman Thompson, R/GA and DigitasLBi.

Today, alongside running his own consultancy Different Not Less and Board advisory roles, Iain is a member of the Advertising Association's All In board that advocates for I,E&D in the UK's creative industry. He is also part of the British Interactive Media Association's (BIMA) steering groups.

Details of all of our twelve Trustees can be found on our website here.