Everton Women are to benefit from increased squad investment and a new leadership structure as the Club sets its sights on challenging for major honours.

As part of changes announced today, an injection of increased resources for squad development has been confirmed for Willie Kirk’s WSL side that will be supported by a new Strategic Leadership Team headed by Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale.

The Everton CEO will take on the role as chair of the new leadership team focused on delivering success for Everton Women - mirroring the strategic vision plotted by the Club CEO for Carlo Ancelotti’s team.

Director, Sasha Ryazantsev, will also strengthen the Strategic Leadership Team’s capacity by taking on the new role of Managing Director, ensuring Everton Women have senior representation in the Everton boardroom as the Club fully utilises its resources and back-office systems to provide a springboard for the Women’s team.

Completing the new Strategic Leadership Team will be Sarvar Ismailov. Sarvar will move from his role as Global Partnerships Consultant at the Club to become Everton Women’s first Sporting and Commercial Director.

The structure is geared for success in all areas of operation, with the new Strategic Leadership Team and Executive Board providing guidance and support for manager Willie Kirk and General Manager Aaron Little.

As part of the restructure, and in addition to the injection of additional funds for scouting and recruitment, Everton Women will benefit from access to enhanced commercial opportunities, as well as increased marketing and promotion, media and digital coverage and a better connection to the Club’s community programmes - through Everton in the Community.

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Everton CEO, Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale, said: “This football club has played a significant role in the development of the women’s game. As well as winning a host of domestic silverware and playing in European competitions, Everton has produced a number of women’s players that have gone on to represent their countries with distinction at major tournaments.

“Our ‘One Club’ vision is a clear symbol of togetherness and unity. We have already taken the progressive and significant steps of bringing our men’s and women’s teams closer together in identity and location, with them both using the state-of-the-art facilities at USM Finch Farm. We will now build on the foundations for success - with a clear focus on competing for honours with the elite of women’s football.”

Everton has a significant history in the women’s game – having been one of eight founding members of the Women’s Super League, as well as winning the FA Women’s Premier League, FA Premier League Cup and two FA Women’s Cups since forming as Everton Ladies in 1995.

The new appointments and increased resources for Everton Women is the next phase of the roll-out of the Blues’ ‘One Club’ vision to integrate elite football into a fluid and dynamic business structure - with a shared vision for success.

This development comes just a month after Everton Women moved into a new purpose-built stadium at Walton Hall Park, less than a mile from Goodison Park. That move has allowed Everton to bring elite women’s football to the heart of the city on a regular basis for the first time.