Ahead of International Women's Day on Sunday 8 March, we are profiling a selection of staff who work across the Club. Today, its Charlotte Renshaw and Julia Pulford…
Charlotte Renshaw – First Team Player Care Manager
Charlotte Renshaw’s role is a diverse one – from arranging language lessons, to helping organise bank accounts and visas, to advising on local schools, GPs, and properties – Charlotte is responsible for making players and their families feel at home at Everton as soon as possible.
“It is a demanding role, but I love it,” says Charlotte. “As soon as we know we are signing a new player, I begin to build a profile. This can involve identifying other players they could link up with, activities they are interested in, or locations that would be suitable for them to live. Every player is completely unique, so the aim is to tailor our approach for each individual.
“My job is to make the move as smooth as possible so that the player can concentrate on what happens on the pitch. I think it’s important to remember the speed with which a player and his family can find themselves packing up their life and moving to a completely new place, sometimes not knowing the language. If their family is happy and settled, it’s easier for the player to focus on playing football. We want to make Everton their home.”
Charlotte began her Everton career in 2010 as a casual administrator in what was the Player Liaison Department, working at weekends and in the summer holidays while she was studying for her A-Levels.
“I always knew I wanted to work in sport, but I wasn’t sure in what capacity. I loved what I was doing at Everton, and when I was given the opportunity to apply for a permanent full-time job I jumped at the chance.”
“The role has changed over time – we were previously a Player Liaison Department, but that has recently changed to Player Care. I think that there is a realisation across football that the role is more rounded and encompasses a lot more than it once did. It also reflects the integrated approach to Player Care at Academy, Under-18 and Under-23 levels.”
“As well as working with our current players and their families, we also retain close contact with our players who are out on loan. It’s important for them to feel that they are still part of this Club. Similarly, we want to do the same for any player joining us on loan. At Everton, as you can imagine, the sense of family is extremely important, so we work hard to ensure that the players can quickly build a support network. New players always comment on how welcoming people are at the Club and throughout the city, and that plays a huge part in helping them to feel at home.”
“Working in Player Care can be demanding, and you need to be able to react quickly. You do work long hours but that is the nature of the role. It helps if you’re a good listener, have good conversation and can be inquisitive - without being too nosey! You need to be able to build a rapport with people quickly. Ultimately, seeing people grow and knowing you have played a part in their journey is really rewarding.”
“Speaking languages is certainly an advantage, particularly with the signings we’ve made recently. I did A-Level French, and I’m learning Spanish. I also have a GCSE in Welsh, but I’ve not put that to use yet here at Everton!”
Julia Pulford - Business Development Executive
Business Development Executive Julia Pulford experienced Everton’s ambition first-hand from her very first day in the role.
“I spent my first day at the offices above the Everton Megastore, and within just a few weeks I was working in our brand-new city centre space. It gave me a real feel for the journey that Everton is on and made me even more excited to get started.”
As Business Development Executive, Julia’s role involves working with corporate clients to ensure that they can access a range of hospitality and experiential opportunities with Everton – from gala dinners, to exclusive behind-the-scenes VIP matchday experiences, to events such as next week’s An Evening with Carlo Ancelotti.
Julia also represents the Club’s corporate hospitality team at networking events, and links in with Liverpool and Sefton Chamber of Commerce, Knowsley Chamber, Institute of Directors, Professional Liverpool and Downtown in Business, to ensure that clients are aware of what is on offer.
“My favourite part of my role is going to meet people, network and attend events – when you’re face-to-face with people you’re able to get on a common ground with them. You’re not only talking about football but also their personal interests. I love talking with people about our Club’s authenticity, our values, our ambition. That really resonates.
“I always tell people that I’m not a salesperson, I’m an introducer of how we can collaborate and how we can work together. I’m trying to provide businesses with possible solutions rather than being a salesperson. At Everton, we pride ourselves on being authentic, and that is at the heart of our approach to business development.”
Julia’s role also involves following up on enquiries from corporate clients who have registered their interest via the evertonfc website – a system that Julia put in place upon her arrival.
Matchday hospitality at Goodison Park - eight hospitality lounges and twelve executive lounges - has sold out to members for the fourth consecutive season and the Club has a healthy waiting list – but that doesn’t mean Julia’s job is done. In fact, it presents her with even more exciting challenges.
“We want to offer clients unique opportunities to engage with the club. Our Matchday VIP Sponsor Experiences provide guests with exclusive behind-the-scenes tours at Goodison Park, led by one of the Club Ambassadors. Outside of matchdays, we also offer a range of different events such as Play on Pitch at the end of the season, dinners with first team players and other Club dignitaries - we really do cater to a variety of corporate requirements.
“The prospect of a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock also opens up a whole range of possibilities – and I can’t wait to start developing those ideas alongside the rest of the team. We know that the demand is there, and if we are granted planning permission, we have the opportunity to design something truly unique in terms of hospitality and corporate experience.”
While Julia’s role involves helping people engage with the Club, she is also clear about what it was that attracted her to work at Everton.
“I am a fan, and that was an attraction it itself, but knowing I was going to work for an ethical employer was what really drew me to apply. It’s one thing to be a fan and attend matches, but if they are not going to look after you as an employer, it wouldn’t have been worth applying.
“We really are The People’s Club. I love my job and the team that I work alongside. I love that when I have an idea I am heard out. I’m proud that when I go to events I can say, “My name’s Julia, and I’m from Everton Football Club.”
