Jockey Club COO and former Liverpool FC executive Hannah Forshaw jumps fence from racing to football to become the new chief executive of Everton Women. Tony McDonough reports

Everton FC has appointed Hannah Forshaw as the new chief executive of Everton Women.

Hannah, who is currently chief operating office of horseracing body, The Jockey Club, will take up her new position for the 2025/26 Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) season.

News of her appointment comes just weeks after Everton FC unveiled Angus Kinnear as its new chief executive following the takeover by The Friedkin Group. 

In mid-May it was also announced that Everton Women will play their home games at Goodison Park after the men’s team make their move to the club’s new £750m Hill Dickinson Stadium on Liverpool waterfront.

A chartered accountant, Hannah has a Masters degree in business administration from the Liverpool Business School and brings a wealth of experience from a range of senior roles across sport.

A Women in Football Committee member during her time as vice president of operations at Liverpool FC, she joined The Jockey Club in 2023 as group operations director, after more than 12 years at Anfield. She became The Jockey Club’s COO in 2024.

“It’s clear the club’s owners, The Friedkin Group, have big plans for Everton Women, and the opportunity to lead the team tasked with bringing those plans to fruition is hugely exciting,” said Hannah.

“Turning Goodison into the permanent home for Everton Women is a real statement of intent. The ambition is to build an Everton team in our new home that makes our fans proud and which challenges for honours.

“I’m looking forward to working with Brian Sørensen (manager of Everton Women), the players and everybody at the club as we strive to fulfil that vision.”

Angus Kinnear added: “Hannah is an outstanding leader and the perfect person to guide Everton Women into an exciting new era, as Goodison Park becomes the largest dedicated women’s football stadium in the world.

“She brings with her a wealth of experience in driving growth and delivering notable change across football and in the world of racing.

“Those credentials will be crucial as the custodian of Goodison’s legacy, and in delivering the bold vision for our new home.”