Alan Smith CBE is appointed as the next Chair of Wiltshire FA.

Outside of his employment as Board Director and Chair at listed and private companies, Alan has two specific passions, football and aviation.

Appointed to the role to replace Clive Archer after his nine-year tenure, Alan is joining Wiltshire FA after recently stepping down from his role as Chairman of the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) and Chairman of SCS Group Plc.

After joining The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises in 1976, Alan dedicated 47 years to supporting RIAT in a variety of roles, contributing to an event which annually raises £2 million for its parent charity, The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust. At the same time, Alan also takes a step back from SCS Group Plc, the well-known retail company listed on the London Stock Exchange, after 9 years as Chairman.

Alongside taking the reins at Wiltshire FA, Alan intends to continue in his other current role as a Non-Executive Director of NAAFI, a company controlled and owned by the Ministry of Defence, which supplies hospitality and retail services to the UK Armed Forces worldwide.

With a wealth of experience from his previous roles as a Chair and Director, Alan joins Wiltshire FA as the organisation commences the design and implementation of a new Strategy for Grassroots Football which will operate from 2024-28.

Alan said, "I would firstly like to thank Clive Archer for the tremendous job he has done over the last nine years as Chair of Wiltshire FA.

“This has been a period of significant development for Wiltshire FA, not least with the opening of the Green Lane Playing Fields in Devizes, where Clive will always be warmly welcomed.

“I am very excited to be embarking on this opportunity and joining the Wiltshire football community. I’m looking forward to the challenge, supporting the growth and development of the game that we all know and love.

“Working alongside our CEO, the staff team, and all of our members, I want to continue the good work, making sure the game is all it can be for our players, coaches, volunteers, supporters and referees."

With a deep knowledge of the duties and governance requirements of a UK Company Director, Alan takes up his new role with time, energy and ambition to make a difference in the grassroots game.

The role of Chair plays a decisive role in providing strategic direction and leadership for football in the county, whilst also being accountable to the members and the development of the game.

As a lifelong Leicester City FC fan, Alan continues to attend home matches as a long term season ticket holder. At a more local level, he watches matches at his two nearby Andover Football Clubs and can also be found supporting the next generation of Lionesses as he cheers on his 11-year-old granddaughter who plays for Arsenal FC.

Alan continues, “Football is a team game, it brings people together. We will continue to work as a team, bringing our members, partners, sponsors and the wider community together, delivering football in Wiltshire for us all to enjoy for years to come.

“We often hear how the game is more than just a game. I am proud to be part of a sport that has the power to do so much good. As well as the obvious benefits to physical and mental health, football can also enrich lives, bring communities closer, address social and environment issues and build relationships that last forever.”

Wiltshire FA has recently concluded three strategy consultation meetings, inviting the Wiltshire football community to help shape the next strategy for grassroots football which will be launched later this year.