Sanjay Bhandari, who has served as the chair of Kick It Out since his appointment in 2019, announced that he will vacate the position at the conclusion of the 2026/27 football season. After more than seven years at the helm, Bhandari plans to hand over the reins to a successor who will continue to drive the charity’s mission. During his tenure, Bhandari oversaw a sweeping transformation of the organisation. He guided Kick It Out toward greater financial independence, introduced robust governance structures, and oversaw the complete renewal of the board and senior leadership team.
Under his stewardship, the charity adopted a brand‑new organisational layout that better supports its growing portfolio of programmes and initiatives. In 2023 the charity unveiled its five‑year strategic plan, dubbed “Football United”.
The blueprint is designed to bring together governing bodies, clubs, players, supporters, community groups and commercial partners in a coordinated effort to create lasting, positive change within the sport. The following year, Samuel Okafor was recruited as chief executive, adding fresh operational leadership to the strategic vision. Reflecting on his time in the role, Bhandari said, “It has been a tremendous honour to chair Kick It Out.
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.” He added that the incoming chair will be pivotal in realising the strategy’s ambitions, working alongside an experienced board and collaborating closely with the chief executive. “The new chair will play a pivotal role in helping Kick It Out deliver that vision, by leading an experienced and committed Board, and working closely with our chief executive to represent an organisation that has become one of the most respected voices for equality and inclusion in sport,” Bhandari explained.
“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’s contributions were recognised in 2024 when he was awarded an MBE for services to football, acknowledging his impact on the charity since its founding in 1993. With his departure imminent, Kick It Out will commence a formal recruitment process aimed at identifying a preferred candidate by the end of December 2026.
The selected individual will work alongside Bhandari for the remainder of the 2026/27 season, ensuring a smooth handover before formally assuming the chairmanship on 1 July 2027. The incoming chair will inherit a role that sits at a critical juncture.
Football continues to grapple with issues of inclusion, representation, and discrimination both on the pitch and behind the scenes. Kick It Out has established itself as a leading advocate for policy reform, engaging with the UK Government, regulators and the sport’s governing bodies—including the Premier League, the English Football League, the FA and the PFA.
The charity’s influence extends to the legislative arena, where it pushes for stronger protections against racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of abuse. Beyond policy work, Kick It Out delivers a suite of education programmes aimed at fans, club academies and online audiences.
Its “Raise Your Game” initiative offers development opportunities for individuals seeking to become agents of change within their clubs and communities. A core component of the charity’s work remains its discrimination reporting service, which continues to record a rising number of abuse incidents, underscoring the ongoing need for vigilance and intervention. In recent years the charity has broadened its reach through strategic partnerships.
A notable collaboration with Guinness 0.0 resulted in the training of 4,000 staff members to recognise and confront discrimination across 900 Greene King sports bars throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Additional alliances with Sky, McDonald’s Fun Football, Visit Tampa Bay and the Morrisons Foundation are set to accelerate the expansion of Kick It Out’s education and inclusion programmes, aligning with the organization’s 2030 strategic targets. Looking ahead, the new chair will be expected to champion further growth in these areas, leveraging existing relationships while forging new ones to amplify the charity’s impact. They will also need to navigate the evolving landscape of digital abuse, ensuring that online platforms remain safe spaces for fans and players alike.
As football’s cultural significance continues to expand globally, the role of Kick It Out—and its leadership—will be essential in shaping a sport that reflects the values of respect, diversity and unity. In summary, Sanjay Bhandari’s departure marks the end of a transformative era for Kick It Out, but also the beginning of a fresh chapter under new stewardship. The organization’s strategic roadmap, robust governance and expanding partnership network position it well to tackle the challenges ahead and to continue championing equality and inclusion across the beautiful game.