Brighton and Hove Albion Women’s Manager, First Woman in the UK to Earn a UEFA Pro License, Co-Founded Bromley Borough & Author of ‘Hope: My Life in Football’

Hope Powell is a trailblazer in women’s football, celebrated both for her achievements as a player and for her pioneering leadership as a coach. From making her England debut at just 16 to becoming the youngest ever coach of an English national side, she has consistently broken barriers. The first woman in the UK to earn a UEFA Pro Licence, Hope also introduced professional contracts for female players, reshaping the game permanently. As a speaker, she inspires audiences with her story of resilience, equality and determination, motivating others to challenge obstacles and fight for greater inclusion.

Hope’s journey in football began when she defied rules that restricted girls from playing for school teams beyond the age of 11. Determined to pursue her passion, she joined Millwall Lionesses, where she became the club’s record goal scorer and won both the FA Cup and the Greater London League. After a spell with Friends of Fulham, reaching the FA Cup final, she returned to Millwall before co-founding Bromley Borough, which later became Croydon. As captain, she led Croydon to a league and FA Cup double. Internationally, Hope earned 66 caps for England, scoring 35 goals and representing her country at the World Cup.

While still playing, she gained her coaching qualifications and, in 1998, was appointed Head Coach of the England women’s national team, making history as the youngest ever coach of an English national side, as well as the first woman and first Black person to hold such a role. In 2003, she became the first woman in the UK to achieve the UEFA Pro Licence, cementing her place as a pioneer in football coaching. She later managed Team GB at the 2012 Olympics and, since 2017, has led Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League. Her contributions to football have been recognised with both an OBE and a CBE, along with induction into the English Football Hall of Fame.

Hope is the author of ‘Hope: My Life in Football‘, an autobiography published in 2016 that reflects on her remarkable journey from player to coach and footballing pioneer. Through her writing, she shares insights into breaking barriers in sport, overcoming adversity and shaping the women’s game at the highest level. Her story offers both inspiration and practical lessons on leadership, resilience and equality, making her book a valuable contribution to the wider conversation on diversity and inclusion in sport.

Why Hire Hope Powell?

Audiences book Hope because of her unique position as both a footballing legend and a pioneer of change. Her career is filled with firsts: the youngest coach of an English national side, the first female and Black coach of any England team. Beyond results on the pitch, she was instrumental in restructuring the women’s game, securing professional contracts for players and raising the sport’s profile globally. Hope has managed at the highest levels, from leading England to European and World Cup finals to guiding Team GB at the Olympics, and more recently establishing Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League.

As a speaker, she brings authenticity and impact, discussing not only her career but also broader themes of diversity, leadership and resilience. Her story resonates with audiences far beyond sport, motivating them to confront barriers, embrace inclusion and strive for excellence.

To book Hope to speak at your event, call SpeakOut on +44 (0) 20 8914 8966. Alternatively, complete our contact form to begin your enquiry.