UK government reappoints Martin Esom and Bradley Pritchard to Sports Grounds Safety Authority Board to boost sports venue safety across United Kingdom

The Secretary of State has confirmed the reappointment of two key figures to the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) Board, extending their service for another three-year term.

Martin Esom and Bradley Pritchard will continue in their roles from 14 March 2026 through to 13 March 2029, reinforcing continuity in the leadership of the UK body responsible for sports ground safety standards.

Strong Leadership Backgrounds Reinforce the Board

Martin Esom brings extensive experience in public service and governance.

During his 13-year tenure as Chief Executive of the London Borough of Waltham Forest, the council achieved national recognition, including being named Local Authority of the Year.

He played a leading role in securing the borough’s designation as London’s first Borough of Culture, driving cultural regeneration projects across the area.

His work includes major developments such as the restoration of the William Morris Gallery, which later received the Art Fund’s Museum of the Year award, the creation of Walthamstow Wetlands, and the establishment of the Soho Theatre Walthamstow—an impressive 1,000-seat venue housed in a Grade II listed building.

Beyond his local government achievements, Esom currently serves as a trustee of Soho Theatre Company Limited.

He also sits on the Health and Safety Executive Board, where he chairs the Audit and Risk Committee, and has spent the last three years as a Non-Executive Director of the SGSA in a similar leadership and oversight role.

A Sporting and Legal Perspective on Safety and Governance

Bradley Pritchard adds a strong sporting and legal dimension to the board.

A former professional footballer and member of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), he now holds several influential positions within the sports governance landscape.

Pritchard serves as a Chair and Panel Member for both the Football Association’s Judicial Panel and Exceptions Panel.

He is also a Specialist Arbitrator with Sport Resolutions, contributing to dispute resolution in the sporting world.

Alongside these roles, he leads as CEO of the charity Sporting Way.

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His commitment to public service and governance development was highlighted when he participated in the Public Appointments’ Mentoring Programme in 2020.

Since then, he has continued expanding his leadership footprint as a trustee for Groundwork London and as a board member of the Sport for Development Coalition.

Continuity Through a Second Term

Both Esom and Pritchard are now entering their second consecutive three-year terms on the SGSA Board.

Their reappointments reflect confidence in their expertise and their ongoing contribution to maintaining high standards of safety across sports grounds in the UK.

Remuneration and Appointment Standards

Members of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority Board receive £265 per day for their service.

The appointments follow strict governance protocols outlined in the Governance Code on Public Appointments, with oversight provided by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

As required under the code, all appointees must declare any significant political activity within the last five years. Both Esom and Pritchard confirmed that they have no such activity to disclose, ensuring transparency in their reappointment.

Notes on Public Appointments

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) oversees around 400 regulated public appointment roles across 42 public bodies.

These include well-known institutions such as Arts Council England, the National Gallery, UK Sport, and the Gambling Commission.

The government continues to encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds across the United Kingdom, emphasizing inclusivity and broad representation in public service roles.

More information on these opportunities is available through the UK Government Public Appointments website.

Impact and Consequences

The reappointment of Esom and Pritchard provides stability and continuity to the SGSA Board at a time when sports safety remains a critical concern.

Their combined expertise—spanning public administration, health and safety governance, sports law, and athlete welfare—strengthens the board’s ability to oversee regulations that protect spectators and participants alike.

Their continued presence is likely to support ongoing improvements in safety standards, risk management, and policy enforcement across sports venues.

What’s next?

Over the next three years, the board will continue to monitor and guide safety practices at sports grounds, working closely with stakeholders across the sporting sector.

With evolving challenges such as crowd management, infrastructure safety, and event regulation, the SGSA will rely on its leadership to adapt and uphold best practices.

The focus will likely remain on strengthening safety frameworks and ensuring compliance across all regulated venues.

Summary

The UK government has reappointed Martin Esom and Bradley Pritchard to the Sports Grounds Safety Authority Board for another three-year term.

Both individuals bring strong and complementary experience in public service, governance, and sport, ensuring continuity and expertise in overseeing safety standards at sports venues across the country.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Martin Esom and Bradley Pritchard reappointed to the SGSA Board for three years
• New term runs from 14 March 2026 to 13 March 2029
• Esom brings extensive local government and governance experience
• Pritchard contributes expertise from professional football and sports law
• Both have previously served on the board and in related leadership roles
• Board members are paid £265 per day under public appointment guidelines
• Appointments follow the UK Governance Code on Public Appointments
• Both appointees declared no political activity in the past five years
• Reappointments aim to strengthen safety oversight in sports venues across the UK