The Football Association As Commercial Director and Director of Marketing and Communications for the
Football Association (The FA), Paul Barber created "FA Partners". The FA's sponsorship programme for 1999–2003 secured agreements with a range of sponsors including
McDonald's,
Pepsi,
Carlsberg,
Nationwide Building Society,
British Airways,
The Libyan Government and
Umbro. FA Partners linked these sponsors to the
England team, the
FA Cup, the women's game, and grassroots football through The
FA Trophy and
FA Vase competitions. Following The FA's decision to re-build
Wembley Stadium, Barber was tasked with finding alternative venues for the
FA Cup Final and
FA Community Shield. Barber created the 'England on the Road' programme, which saw England's senior team play at different English stadiums including
Old Trafford,
Anfield,
White Hart Lane,
Stadium of Light,
St James's Park,
St Mary's Stadium,
Pride Park, and
Villa Park. The FA Cup Final and the FA Community Shield were moved to
Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. During the same period, Barber led the development of "englandfans", the FA's official supporters' scheme.
Tottenham Hotspur FC Barber joined
Tottenham Hotspur's board in 2005. As
executive director reporting to chairman
Daniel Levy, Barber was responsible for Tottenham's commercial programme, ticketing and hospitality areas, marketing and brand management, and match day operations. He also acted as the club's main interface with fans' groups. In 2006, Barber concluded Tottenham's then record shirt sponsorship agreement with Asian betting firm Mansion.com. He also agreed a deal with German sportswear firm
Puma to supply Tottenham's kit. Barber left Tottenham in 2010 to join
Vancouver Whitecaps. He remained on the board at Tottenham Hotspur as a non-executive director until 2011.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC At
Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Barber made sponsorship deals with companies including
Bell Canada,
EA Sports,
Budweiser,
Kia Motors,
BMO Bank of Montreal,
Sportsnet, and TEAM 1040 Radio. Vancouver Whitecaps also became the first MLS club to have all its League and Cup matches broadcast live on TV, radio, mobile and online. He oversaw two stadium moves, culminating in the move to the refurbished
BC Place. On-field results led to coaching changes, with
Teitur Thordarson being dismissed and replaced by
Martin Rennie.
Brighton & Hove Albion FC Barber joined
Brighton & Hove Albion as chief executive in 2012. The
American Express Community Stadium expanded to a capacity of over 30,000. In his first season, Brighton reached the Championship play-offs and saw increased attendances. Manager
Gus Poyet was dismissed. A multi-year sponsorship deal with
American Express was announced.
Oscar Garcia Junyent and later
Sami Hyypia managed the team before
Chris Hughton was appointed. New training facilities were opened. In 2018, Barber was promoted to deputy chairman. Hughton was replaced by
Graham Potter and later
Roberto de Zerbi. Barber was appointed OBE in 2023.
Wider business career Barber served on the board of
The Football League and The FA Council. He has held senior executive positions in various companies, including
Barclays Bank,
Inchcape,
Abbey National,
Royal & Sun Alliance, and
Ogilvy & Mather. He has served as a Non-Executive Director for several organizations and is a speaker at sports industry and business conferences. In 2023 Barber received honorary degree from the
University of Sussex. ==References==