Charlton Athletic are delighted to confirm Paul Elliott CBE MBE as the Board of Directors' lead for equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and mental health.
Following a stellar footballing career which began at Charlton in the early 1980s, Elliott has been a leading figure in the fight against discrimination in football.
James Rodwell, the club's Chairman of the Board and Managing Director, said: “We are committed to building a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone connected to the club. Paul brings a wealth of experience, his career speaks for itself and we are thrilled to have him on the Charlton Athletic Board.”
The club and Community Trust's Head of EDI Dr Michael Seeraj added: "Charlton has a unique, proud heritage of promoting equality and tackling discrimination, from the pioneering fan-led initiatives in the 1990s to the inclusion projects more than 30 years on. Paul has had an outstanding career both on and off the pitch and his insights and experience will be invaluable, as we drive forward with the club's groundbreaking EDI work.”
Elliott has worked tirelessly across many areas of professional football to promote equality and tackle discrimination. In 2003, Elliott received an MBE for his work with young players and his involvement with anti-racism initiatives in football. He was later awarded a CBE in 2012 for services to equality and diversity in football.
The former centre-half has been a longstanding advocate for EDI - he co-founded the anti-racism charity Kick it Out and chaired the FA Inclusion Advisory Board. He is currently a Special Adviser to the FA on EDI. Elliott is also an international diversity ambassador for UEFA and an anti-racism ambassador for the International Federation of Professional Footballers. He is also on the Board of UEFA representing the FA on anti-discrimination and corporate social responsibility.
Elliott was a co-founder of the club's Community Trust, having been involved as a Trustee when it was established in 2003.
On August 17th last year, Charlton had the privilege of hosting the launch of the new EFL Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy Together at The Valley. Part of EFL Together Strategy requires that clubs meet the six key standards of the new and revised EFL Equality Code of Practice.
Elliott will lead on the club’s ambitions to build on the long, proud history that Charlton has for promoting equality and tackling discrimination. He will support Dr Seeraj to continue to ensure that EDI is embedded across the club, including implementing the EFL Equality Code of Practice.
