Paul Brown

Paul Brown is the Head of Strategy, Impact & Safeguarding at Reading FC Community Trust, where he leads the organisation’s strategic development, safeguarding, governance, quality assurance and impact measurement.

In his role, Paul is responsible for shaping the Trust’s long-term strategic direction and leading the development of innovative programmes that improve outcomes for children, young people and communities. He works across the organisation to design, develop and continuously improve services, ensuring they are evidence-led, outcome-focused and responsive to local need.

Paul has played a key role in the strategic development and oversight of a wide range of the Trust’s programmes, including Premier League Kicks, Premier League Inspires, Premier League Primary Stars, Alternative Provision (RAP), mentoring and targeted intervention programmes, employability initiatives and wider community projects. He works closely with schools, local authorities, the Premier League Foundation, the English Football League, commissioners, funders and community partners to develop sustainable services that deliver meaningful and measurable impact across Berkshire.

He also leads the Trust’s approach to funding development, preparing funding applications, developing new programme proposals and producing impact and performance reports for funders and strategic partners. Alongside this, Paul is responsible for the Trust’s compliance with the Premier League Foundation Capability Code of Practice (CCOP), ensuring the organisation consistently meets the highest standards of governance, safeguarding, programme quality and organisational effectiveness.

Alongside programme development, Paul leads the Trust’s approach to monitoring, evaluation and learning, creating strategic frameworks and quality assurance systems that enable the organisation to measure outcomes, demonstrate impact and drive continuous improvement across all areas of delivery.

As the Trust’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Paul has strategic and operational responsibility for safeguarding children and adults at risk across the organisation. He leads the development of safeguarding policy and practice, oversees case management, safer recruitment, staff training, quality assurance and safeguarding governance, and works closely with schools, local authorities, police, health services and safeguarding partnerships to ensure the highest standards of safeguarding are embedded throughout the Trust. Paul also provides safeguarding assurance to the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, helping to ensure safeguarding remains at the heart of the organisation’s culture and decision-making.

Paul is passionate about using the power of sport to create positive social change and believes that high-quality services should always be underpinned by strong partnerships, robust evidence and a relentless focus on improving outcomes for children, young people and communities.