Oxford United in the Community has appointed a new CEO to lead the charitable arm of the football club and its work inspiring happier, healthier and better-connected communities.

Matt Everett joins the charity on a full-time basis having served as a Trustee for five years with a professional background in sports management, marketing and commercial sales. 

He joins with 19 years of experience working in sport with former clients including Leicester City, Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic. Matt is also no stranger to United’s Horspath Road training headquarters – also Oxford United in the Community’s base – having worked for the club as its Commercial and Marketing Director between 2018 and 2020.

The appointment of Matt further strengthens the charity’s senior leadership team with Chris Lowes becoming Chief Operating Officer, 19 years after accepting his first job as a community manager.

The charity has also hired Kerrie Bates as its new Operations Administrator to fuel its ambitious growth plans.

Together, the new roles will support the delivery of a countywide strategy aimed at positively engaging people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities with the United badge.

Matt said: “I’m Oxfordshire born and raised and understand how much Oxford United means to people locally and the influence the club badge can have through strong engagement.

“Serving Oxford United in the Community as a Trustee for five years has really opened my eyes to the power of football and how it can be used as a lever to inspire people from all walks of life.

“With ambitions to broaden our operational footprint across the county on a scale not seen before in the charity’s proud 35-year history, this is an exciting time to lead the team.

“Together with the backing from the football club, we can inspire positive change both within the perimeters of the football field and outside it.”

Already, the charity delivers a strong mix of community-based programmes and courses which tackle key issues locally including loneliness, community integration and accessibility to sport.

Weekly disability football training sessions and a new team for Oxford-based refugees and asylum seekers are among the latest provisions to be launched by the charity. It also works in partnership with schools plus sports and community clubs to help individuals have positive aspirations for their futures.

Jeremy Faulkner, Chair of Trustees at Oxford United in the Community, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Matt as our new CEO following five years of great service as a Trustee.

“Engaging positively with Oxfordshire communities and helping empower people to become the best version of themselves has been installed at the heart of our work since our launch in 1989.

“Matt has an excellent working knowledge of this operation and will be a great addition to our team of programme leads and community coaches.

“We also welcome Kerrie to the charity and are pleased to formalise a new role for Chris who has been a mainstay in the hardworking team behind the scenes since 2005, progressing from a coach to a key member of our senior leadership.”

Further information about Oxford United in the Community and its work is available online via the charity’s website – www.ouitc.org.