Big news for the LFC Foundation—Steve Varley is stepping in as the new chair of the board of trustees, taking over from Gavin Laws.
And this isn’t just another corporate shuffle. Steve’s a lifelong Liverpool FC fan, and he’s bringing a treasure trove of experience from both business and non-profits to help drive the Foundation forward. It’s safe to say the future’s looking bright.
Now, let’s talk about Steve. This guy’s CV is no joke. After nearly 20 years at Ernst and Young (EY), where he led their UK and Ireland business, he moved on to become their Global Vice Chair.
One of his standout achievements? Leading the charge to expand their sustainability efforts worldwide.
And just to top it off, he’s now a Special Advocate for UN Climate Change. Safe to say, Steve’s no stranger to making a real difference where it counts.
That makes him a fantastic fit for the LFC Foundation, which is all about making a real difference for people in Liverpool and beyond.
Steve’s not just another suit, though. Growing up in the North West with close family ties to Liverpool, he understands what this city means, and more importantly, what the Foundation means to the community. It’s personal for him.
He knows the challenges the region faces and how important it is to give back. He’s the kind of person who gets what the LFC Foundation is all about because he’s lived it.
What’s especially exciting about Steve stepping in as chair is how perfectly he aligns with the club’s big-picture goals through The Red Way, Liverpool FC’s social responsibility and sustainability strategy.
He’s been all about pushing the Sustainable Development Goals—basically a global roadmap for a better future—and now, he’s bringing that passion to the Foundation. It’s a win-win for the club and the community.
During his time at EY, Steve didn’t just sit in meetings and send emails. He led the creation of the EY Foundation, a charity aimed at giving young people from low-income families the chance to get paid work experience, learn employability skills, and receive career guidance.
So far, it’s helped over 18,000 young people. Now, Steve’s taking that same dedication to youth development and applying it at the LFC Foundation, where health, education, and employability are key areas of focus.
Speaking of his new role, Steve couldn’t be more excited: “I am honoured to be appointed chair of the trustees for the LFC Foundation, having joined as a trustee earlier this year I have already seen first-hand the incredible work that is being done and I look forward to playing my part in developing that going forward.
“Liverpool as a city and a football club holds a special place in my heart and I look forward to working closely with Matt Parish, the board of trustees and the wider team at the Foundation to continue to inspire change and support our communities both at home and away.”
And Matt Parish, CEO of the LFC Foundation, is just as enthusiastic: “Steve brings with him a fantastic amount of experience and an unwavering commitment to social impact.
His leadership and expertise will be invaluable as we strive to continue to tackle social inequality in our communities both here in the Liverpool City Region and also internationally as we develop our work over the next five years, and we look forward to seeing that progress even more under his guidance.”
The LFC Foundation isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Last year alone, they supported over 127,000 people, with nearly 60% of those individuals coming from some of the most deprived areas in the country.
And with Steve now at the helm, they’re ready to go even bigger, especially when it comes to making a difference in health, learning, and jobs.
So, what’s next? With Steve’s vision and leadership, the LFC Foundation will continue to be a driving force in changing lives—not just in Liverpool, but far beyond.
It’s an exciting time for the Foundation, and you can bet the Liverpool FC community will be right there, every step of the way.