Wembley Stadium director takes up FA marketing reins

The Football Association has appointed Wembley National Stadium marketing director Jonathan Hill to head its marketing team.

Hill replaces director of marketing and communications Paul Barber, who was ousted by chief executive Mark Palios last week following a reshuffle of the organisation’s marketing department. The FA’s marketing will be divided into two divisions – commercial and communications. The newly created commercial team, headed by Hill, will be responsible for marketing.

Although officially Hill has been given the role on a temporary basis, FA insiders have confirmed that he has been offered the job of commercial director permanently.

The communications division will be headed by former Daily Mail sports editor Colin Gibson. He will start in January.

Hill will retain his position at Wembley Stadium until he is formally confirmed as the full-time FA commercial director. Some of his responsibilities there have been handed over to Clive Richards, who was appointed head of sponsorship last month (MW October 30).

FA sources say that Hill’s role will be different from Barber’s, who signed up the FA sponsors and secured TV partners in long-term deals during his tenure. One source says: “Hill will have more of a maintenance role to protect existing sponsors, as the FA does not have to worry about finding new sponsors for the next few years.”