Small team.
Big impact.
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Alastair brings nearly 30 years of leadership experience across sport, social impact and commercial partnerships, including CEO roles at British Rowing and British Gymnastics, and senior positions with organisations such as the LTA, RFU, McDonald’s, Sainsbury’s and Nielsen Sports.
He has a strong track record of leading organisations through change, building sustainable funding models, modernising operations and empowering teams, all qualities that will be vital as the Homeless World Cup continues to evolve
Alastair is married to Claire and has two children, Holly and Sam. Outside of work, he is rarely far from sport, whether that’s on the golf course or following football.
A devoted Liverpool supporter and also a Southampton season-ticket holder with his son (it’s closer to home), Alastair’s enthusiasm for sport knows few boundaries.
Chief Executive Officer
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James runs the day-to-day operations of the Homeless World Cup, directing our dedicated and talented team. He has delivered our annual tournament since 2011.James grew up in Germany, Belgium, Northern Ireland, and England before settling in sunny Scotland.
Outside of work he loves to travel, experience new cultures and environments and can usually be found climbing or running in the mountains.
Chief Operating Officer
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Matt leads on Marketing, Communications and External Relations for the Homeless World Cup Foundation, shaping how the organisation tells its story to global audiences.
A graduate of Bournemouth University with a degree in Leisure Marketing, Matt has always been driven by a desire to work in sport and to harness its power to change lives.
His career spans major sporting and charitable organisations, including the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and Comic Relief, bringing together experience in large-scale events, storytelling and purpose-led communications.
At the Homeless World Cup Foundation, Matt plays a central role in developing and delivering global marketing, media, communications, commercial and fundraising strategies.
A lifelong football fan, Matt is a season ticket holder at Tottenham Hotspur and a passionate supporter of live sport in all its forms.
Away from work, he is kept busy by his two daughters
Marketing and PR Manager
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Rebecca handles the Homeless World Cup’s daily communications and social media coverage. If someone replies to you on one of our social media channels, 9 times out of 10 it will be her.
Rebecca grew up in Cambridge and went to the University of Glasgow before doing a master’s in journalism in Cardiff.
She’s worked for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Show Racism the Red Card and Street League and is passionate about how sport and development can create meaningful change.
When she’s not at work, Rebecca will be busy with her two boys, planning her next adventure or going for a run.
Digital Communications Officer
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Monica works with our International Volunteers squad at the Homeless World Cup and supports year-round with admin duties. Monica’s passion is design, and has a degree in Product Design.
Monica’s been involved in a number of global events, including the FIFA Under 17s World Cup in Mexico City and the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games. She loves sport and being involved in causes that help those that need, Monica has been involved in three previous Homeless World Cups (Mexico 2012, Mexico 2018 and Sacramento 2023)
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Mags is a serial entrepreneur having built leading support services provided to the legal sector in the UK.
While working she has always found time to work with charities including chairing The King’s Trust in Scotland and Hibernian FC Community Foundation.
Mags began working with the Homeless World Cup Foundation in 2024 and is working with Mel Young our co-founder to develop a growth strategy and sustainable income streams.
She is Non Executive Director of a number for start-ups and when not working watches RCD Mallorca.
International Volunteers & Teams Manager
Revenue and Growth Lead
Our Board
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Mel is a serial social entrepreneur who founded the Homeless World Cup in 2003 with Harald Schmied.
Passionate about the power of sport to change lives, he has set up various social initiatives over the years.
Mel is also an Ashoka Fellow and Senior Fellow of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.
He was former Chairman of Sportscotland, the national sports agency in Scotland.
Co-Founder & Chair
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Pete Irvine is a freelance event and festival organiser, and formerly the founding director of Unique Events who have created and produced many of Scotland’s major festivals and events including Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.
He is also the author of Scotland’s best-selling guide book, Scotland the Best, currently in its 13th edition.
Trustee
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Kate has worked in the media and communications sector for more than 25 years in various roles both in-house and agency.
She was PR Manager for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and has been Head of Communications and Marketing at Sportscotland since 2015.
She has a passion for grassroots sports and the ability for sport to change lives.
Trustee
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Marcus is President of UK distribution for BBC Studios and CEO of multi-award winning commercial broadcaster UKTV, overseeing the strategic direction of its seven linear channels and streaming service U.
Prior to becoming CEO of UKTV, Marcus oversaw BBC Studios Australia and New Zealand and the advertising division of GNL, the BBC’s global news operation. Earlier in his career Marcus was MD, Global Brands, where his business worked in conjunction with other departments to drive greater value from the BBC’s Worldwide leading international and multi-format properties including Top Gear, Dancing With the Stars, Doctor Who and BBC Earth.
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Nick De Marco KC of Blackstone Chambers is ranked as one of the top lawyers in sport. He acts for international and domestic sports-governing bodies, federations, players, clubs, sponsors, broadcasters and agents across all sports in both commercial and regulatory disputes.
He is recognised as the foremost expert in football regulatory issues and is author and editor of ‘Football and the Law’.
Nick sits as an arbitrator in sport and is a director of the British Association for Sport and the Law (BASL), Master of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, and a Trustee of the QPR in the Community Trust.
Trustee
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Iain is a chartered accountant living and working in Edinburgh. He has owned his own C.A. practice for 20 years acting for a wide range of small and medium sized businesses.
Iain has a strong interest in the Arts and acts for many of Scotland’s leading contemporary artists, theatre and Fringe companies. He has also been a Trustee of several Arts charities.
He is a long-term follower of all things Scottish football; through bad times and good!
Trustee
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Erin Gillen is National Club Manger for scottishathletics and has held various leadership roles across sport, including a strong background in youth leadership and social impact.
With a lifelong commitment to grassroots sports, she brings knowledge in accessibility, inclusion and building pathways. Having first-hand experience of how sport can transform lives, she remains a passionate advocate for using football as a catalyst for real change.
Trustee
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Julia Newton is Chair of Women in Sport and has held senior leadership roles across a wide range of sporting organisations, including GB Taekwondo and the Rugby Football League.
She brings experience in governance, strategy and driving positive change, alongside a long track record in housing and refugee resettlement.
Julia co-founded and chaired the Rural Refugee Network, supporting families fleeing conflict to rebuild their lives in the UK, and has served as a Non-Executive Director in housing and regeneration. She is passionate about harnessing sport as a force for inclusion, social impact and lasting change.
Trustee
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Tino Nombro was the co-founder and CEO of Ambergreen, an Edinburgh-based digital marketing agency and now runs a consultancy business helping organisations grow and transform.
In addition to spending time with his family, Tino enjoys snowboarding and wakeboarding.
Trustee
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Sarah Livingston is the Head of Partnership Marketing, MENA / APAC & Global Tours & Friendlies at City Football Group.
With over 20 years’ experience driving commercial growth and managing high-impact brand partnerships across Asia and the Middle East, She is passionate about creating partnerships that deliver real results for brands and communities, using sport as a platform for positive impact.
Trustee