The Global Ireland Football Foundation has confirmed the appointment of its founding Board of Directors and Director of Development, marking a significant milestone ahead of the organisation’s formal launch in March.
Established by the FAI to support the transformation of grassroots football in Ireland through targeted investment in facilities, the Global Ireland Football Foundation will operate as an independent entity, engaging with private individuals and corporate partners in Ireland and internationally to attract new funding into the grassroots game.
Colin Ryan has been appointed Chair of the Board, joined by Susan Whelan, Ray Wilson, Tony Keohane and Paul Cooke. The Board brings together extensive experience across global business, football governance, infrastructure investment and elite club operations, alongside strong connections to Irish football at the domestic and international levels.
As the Foundation begins to build its executive structure, Nichola Mullen has been appointed Director of Development. Mullen will be responsible for shaping the Foundation’s development strategy, overseeing partnerships, fundraising, programme design, and stakeholder engagement.
She brings significant expertise in strategic fundraising, organisational growth and community impact, which will be central to the Foundation’s long-term ambitions. She will join the Foundation from Pieta, where she has been Director of Fundraising and Marketing for the past three years.
GIFF has been established as a limited company and independent legal entity to accelerate engagement with potential investors and partners. The structure is designed to support the delivery of much-needed football facilities that can have a lasting impact on participation, player development and community wellbeing across the country.
Commenting on the appointments, Colin Ryan said it was a privilege to lead the Foundation at such an important stage in its development. He said the ambition of GIFF is to enable purposeful, long-term investment that can transform football facilities and environments across Ireland, while complementing the work already being done by clubs, leagues, volunteers and administrators.
Ryan said the depth of experience across the Board, combined with Mullen’s leadership of the development function, provides a strong structure ahead of the Foundation’s formal launch.
He added that the Foundation’s goal is to support and sustain the progress of Irish football by backing it with meaningful, sustainable investment, while acknowledging the foundational work carried out to date in establishing the organisation.
The Foundation will operate independently of the FAI, with its own governance framework and Board. It is intended to provide a trusted platform for long-term private funding that will support the FAI in delivering its Facility Investment Vision and Strategy.
Through promoting accessibility, increasing investment in disadvantaged areas, ensuring equitable opportunities and encouraging youth participation, GIFF aims to help build stronger, healthier and more inclusive communities through football.
Further announcements on initial programmes and partnerships are expected following the Foundation’s formal launch in March.
Global Ireland Football Foundation Board
Colin Ryan (Chair) – Chief Strategy & Corporate Development Officer at Qualcomm. Colin brings senior global leadership experience across corporate strategy, partnerships and organisational growth including 25 years in senior leadership positions with Goldman Sachs. In addition to his role at Qualcomm, Colin is the founder of Clipper Street Capital Limited, a technology and media advisory and investment firm, through which he holds a minority interest in Salford City FC.
Susan Whelan – Football and business executive and former Chief Executive Officer of Leicester City Football Club (2011–2025). During her tenure, Leicester City achieved its historic Premier League title in 2016, multiple European campaigns and significant off-field commercial and community growth. Susan, originally from Ireland, has been recognised in the UK with an OBE for services to football, the economy and the community, and holds honorary distinctions for her contribution to sport and business.
Ray Wilson – Founding Director and Non-Executive Director at the Plenary Group, a global infrastructure investment and project delivery organisation. Based in Sydney, Ray brings extensive experience across finance, capital markets and large-scale infrastructure platforms. A proud Irishman, he is also a co-owner and Board member of Shamrock Rovers, providing strong insight into both infrastructure development and club football operations.
Tony Keohane – Chair of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) Board, bringing leadership in governance, organisational reform and strategic oversight at Ireland’s national governing body for football. A former CEO and Chair of Tesco Ireland, he has also held a number of non-executive board roles including Chair of Ervia and Repak and Board member of Bord Bia. Tony is currently Chair of OUTsurance, Re-Turn, Circol ELT & Malone Group.
Paul Cooke – President of the FAI Board, a distinguished leader in Irish football administration with broad experience across governance, stakeholder engagement and the development of the game. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant who has served as Managing Director of both the Irish Daily Star and the Sunday Business Post. He is a non-executive Director of the Cappagh Hospital Foundation in Dublin.
Image Credit: Global Ireland Football Foundation
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