Paul Barber

Paul Barber is the Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman, Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, and has been a driving force over the last decade in helping Albion to the upper reaches of the Premier League. The club also have thriving academy, women’s and community sections.

Executive

Paul joined the board of Brighton & Hove Albion FC as the club’s Chief Executive in June 2012. He was promoted to Deputy Chairman in November 2018. Paul joined the club from Vancouver Whitecaps, the MLS club. Having previously held senior positions at both Tottenham Hotspur and The Football Association. Paul was born Born bred less than a mile from White Hart Lane. Football has always been a huge part of Paul Barber’s life.

His early studies within marketing and communications from junior to senior levels led him to receive a call from the FA shortly after Euro 96. Eventually,  he became The FA’s Marketing Director on a full-time basis. After working with them voluntarily on a part-time basis for two years. Paul helped to modernise and commercialise the FA through his works. Placing an emphasis on supporting English football from grassroots to the highest level; prioritising Women’s football, the youth academy system, and also accessibility to disabled players.

Achievements

His notable works include working with the England team at major tournaments, including the UEFA European Championships in 2000 in Belgium/Holland and the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan/Korea; promoting The FA Cup, and re-branding the FA to help make it a more modern, forward-thinking organisation.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Now in his tenth season with Brighton & Hove Albion, and in his 25th year working in professional football, Paul has overseen Brighton & Hove Albion reaching three play-off semi-finals and automatic promotion to the Premier League in the 2016/17 season. 2021/22 will see Brighton playing at the top level of English football for a club-record breaking fifth successive season.

FA Council

Paul has been elected by Premier League clubs to serve as a Premier League representative on The FA Council and the Professional Game Board, which oversees the running of professional football in England, for a fourth consecutive season. Paul is also a non-executive director of Women in Football.

Award

Paul was recently awarded an OBE for services to football. His ambition is to see Brighton Hove Albion win a major trophy.