Women in Football (WiF) has named Jane Purdon as its first ever chief executive.

Purdon will officially take up her role at the head of WiF – a network of professional women working in and around the football industry – on 1 December.

Purdon, a trained lawyer, is a sports industry veteran and has a track record of working at the highest level of football and sport.

She was most recently head of governance and leadership at UK Sport and prior to that director of governance at the Premier League. She also had a stint as club secretary at Sunderland AFC.

“The appointment of Jane as the first CEO of WiF will be invaluable at this critical time of exponential growth in women’s football and given the momentum of the reforms with respect to gender inclusion in football globally," said Ebru Köksal, chair of WiF.

“We are sure that Jane’s vision and leadership will be of key importance in achieving our aims and in creating greater opportunities and equality for women in Football.”

Commenting on her new role, Purdon said: “Women in Football is an organisation I have known and worked with for many years, and one I have huge respect for.

"It has achieved much in its first 10 years to champion and support women working in the game, and I am honoured and delighted to be joining it as we look forward to the next phase of its development and growth.”