Kick It Out chair Sanjay Bhandari will leave his post at the end of the 2026/27 season.
Bhandari, who was named chair in 2019, will step down after more than seven years in the position.
In his time in office he has overseen a transformation of the organization, including enhanced financial independence and governance, the appointment of an entirely new board and leadership team and a new team structure.
Kick It Out launched its new five-year strategy, Football United, last year and Samuel Okafor was appointed chief executive in 2024.
“It has been a tremendous honor to chair Kick It Out,” said Bhandari. “Our ‘Football United’ strategy is deliberately built on a vision of bringing together governing bodies, clubs, players, supporters, communities and partners to create lasting change. “In a world that often feels increasingly negative and divided, we are consciously seeking to strike a different tone.The new Chair will be pivotal in helping Kick It Out deliver that vision, by leading an experienced and dedicated Board and working closely with our chief executive to represent an organization that has become one of the most respected voices for equality and inclusion in sport.
“This is a unique opportunity for someone who believes in the power of football to bring people together and who wants to help shape the future of the nation’s game.
Bhandari, who has been with the charity since its inception in 1993, was awarded an MBE in 2024 for services to football.
Kick It Out will now embark on a formal process to recruit a preferred candidate by the end of December 2026.
The new chair will work alongside Bhandari for the remainder of the 2026/27 season as part of an orderly transition before formally taking up the position on July 1, 2027.
The successful candidate will be inheriting a role at a time when there are significant challenges still to be overcome around making football more inclusive and representative, both on and off the pitch, whilst tackling discrimination.
Kick It Out has become an influential voice campaigning for policy change, working with the Government, regulators and football’s governing bodies including the Premier League, EFL, FA and PFA.
The charity also runs education programs with supporters, club academies and online, while its Raise Your Game program offers development opportunities.
Abuse reports continue to rise and Kick It Out’s discrimination reporting service remains central to its work.
It has also expanded its reach thru a partnership with Guinness 0.0, which has seen 4,000 staff trained to spot and tackle discrimination in 900 Greene King sports bars across England, Scotland and Wales.
As part of its strategy thru to 2030, Kick It Out is targeting further growth in its education and inclusion programs, working with partners including Sky, McDonald’s Fun Football, Visit Tampa Bay and Morrisons Foundation.
