- Lisa Pearce named Director LCFC Women
- She will assume responsibility for all LCFC Women operations
- Appointment comes after Willie Kirk named Director of Football, Women and Girls
- Emile Heskey to become Technical Coach across men’s and women’s football
Lisa will join the club on 1 October, after serving for four years as CEO of British Wheelchair Basketball and will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the LCFC Women operation across football, commercial, administration, personnel and growth.
The appointment comes after the addition of Willie Kirk as Director of Football, Women and Girls, while Emile Heskey will now step up his involvement with the football operations with a new broader scope as Technical Coach for the Boys’ Under-18s and the LCFC Women First Team, alongside his continued role as an ambassador.
These significant additions to the staffing structure at LCFC Women reflect the incredible period of growth the team has experienced since turning professional following King Power International’s acquisition in the summer of 2020.
In its first season, the team earned promotion to the Barclays Women’s Super League for the first time as Championship winners as well as moving football operations to Belvoir Drive – the only professional women’s team in the country with a dedicated elite facility.
The commitment to the sustainable growth of women’s football in Leicestershire was taken even further with the announcement of an Academy pathway. Alongside this, the Club confirmed the introduction of home WSL fixtures to King Power Stadium – something that will continue as the team embark upon their second top-flight season under manager Lydia Bedford.
That progress and the Club’s vision for the future will now be driven forward by Lisa, who arrives as a proven leader in her field, having also served as CEO for the London Football Association in addition to holding senior positions with the Lawn Tennis Association and council authorities.
Leicester City Chief Executive Susan Whelan said: “Lisa’s appointment is a significant one for LCFC Women and further underlines our commitment to doing all we can to grow the women’s game – not only through on-pitch success but through sustainable and strategic progress in all areas of its operations.
“We’re delighted to be able to have somebody of Lisa’s experience on board to help us drive forward with our vision. She has enjoyed great success in her previous roles across various sports and that track record in strategy and development will be a great asset for us as we continue to build a platform to LCFC Women to be a leading light in the growth of women’s football.”
Newly appointed Director LCFC Women, Lisa Pearce added: “Taking this position is a huge privilege and it is an incredibly exciting prospect to be able to build upon a journey that has seen LCFC Women take many significant strides in a short space of time.
“The investment and commitment in the Football Club is there for all to see and the potential for growth is something I’m looking forward to helping drive forward with the help of the new structure the Club is putting in place.
“I’m really looking forward to getting started in the role and working with such a talented group of staff ahead of another season for the Club in the Barclays Women’s Super League.”
The new campaign will see LCFC Women begin with an away trip to Everton on Sunday 11 September before taking on Tottenham Hotspur at King Power Stadium a week later.