In the ever-evolving landscape of British society, one name continues to rise with purpose, passion, and unparalleled impact — Sanjay Bhandari. A trailblazing leader, advocate, and innovator, Bhandari is redefining what leadership looks like in sport, law, technology, and equality. His journey — from a respected legal mind and corporate leader to the moral compass of British sport — is not just impressive; it’s inspirational.
At the intersection of activism and achievement, Sanjay Bhandari stands tall. As the Chair of Kick It Out, football’s foremost equality and inclusion charity, he has led transformative change, steering the organization into a new era of influence. Since taking the reins in 2019, Bhandari has not only raised the charity’s profile but also its power. Under his guidance, Kick It Out has shifted from being a voice of protest to becoming a strategic partner in shaping football’s future.
But Sanjay Bhandari’s story is much more than football. It’s a human story — one of resilience, responsibility, and radical inclusion. His MBE honour in the 2024 New Year Honours is a testament to his enduring commitment to service. As Bhandari humbly remarked, “This is just as much a recognition of the fantastic team I have the privilege to lead, as it is of my small contribution to it.” It’s this sense of shared purpose that defines his leadership.
Sanjay Bhandari: From Law to Leadership
Before stepping into the world of activism and nonprofit leadership, Sanjay Bhandari had already built a formidable three-decade career. A lawyer by training, he spent the early years of his career specialising in fraud and white-collar crime. His legal expertise laid a firm foundation for what would come next — a 14-year journey in consulting, 12 of which were spent as a Partner at EY (Ernst & Young).
At EY, Bhandari’s leadership wasn’t just about numbers and strategies. He was the Chief Innovation Officer, a forward-thinker who helped grow EY’s Financial Services technology business. But perhaps more importantly, he was a fierce advocate for diversity. As the partner sponsor for race strategies, he led initiatives that earned national recognition — placing diversity and inclusion at the heart of the firm’s ethos.
His departure from the corporate world in 2019 marked the beginning of a portfolio career — an intentional move to serve on multiple boards and champion causes he truly believes in. Today, Bhandari is not just the Chair of Kick It Out; he sits on the boards of Travers Smith, the Serious Fraud Office, and the Satellite Applications Catapult, where he serves as Chair. He’s also an active member of the Government’s Parker Review on the ethnic diversity of UK boards.
Leading Change Across Sports
Few leaders can claim the kind of cross-sport influence that Sanjay Bhandari wields. Alongside his role in football, he is a non-executive director at the Lawn Tennis Association and a trustee at GreaterSport Manchester, the regional body championing physical activity across communities. His motivation is deeply personal. As he puts it, “I have personally seen the value of exercise and physical activity when dealing with anxiety and other issues. ‘Healthy body, healthy mind’ is an old saying. As I get older, it seems more true.”
Bhandari’s approach is deeply human. His philosophy isn’t just to fix broken systems — it’s to change cultures. And nowhere has this been more apparent than in football’s fight against online hate. Bhandari played a pivotal role in shaping the Online Safety Act, pushing governing bodies to collaborate and protect players and fans from digital abuse.
Sanjay Bhandari: An Unwavering Voice Against Discrimination
Over the years, the impact of Sanjay Bhandari has been both structural and social. Under his leadership, Kick It Out has reported a steady decrease in overt racism in stadiums — a stark contrast to his own early days as a fan.
“For the first 20 years of watching football, I heard racist chants every single match,” Bhandari once recalled. “Now, I can’t remember the last time I heard those particular chants.” Yet, he remains clear-eyed: “It’s still not good enough.” His commitment to tackling not just racism but also homophobia, misogyny, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism in the game has never wavered. In his words: “We want to make football a game where everyone feels they belong.”
Recently, Kick It Out secured a landmark £3 million sponsorship deal with Sky Sports — a move orchestrated by Bhandari to bring in partners that align with the charity’s values and vision.
A New Chapter: Independent Football Regulator
In 2025, Sanjay Bhandari found himself at the centre of yet another historic opportunity. Shortlisted to become the first Chair of Britain’s new Independent Football Regulator (IFR), Bhandari’s name is now etched into the annals of transformative leadership. While the final decision remains pending, his candidacy has already ignited hope. A source close to the process called his credentials “strong” — a sentiment shared by many across the industry.
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