We wanted to introduce you to our new series of profiles, 'Our Cwenes', where we shine a light on the women that make up our community. Women who are extraordinary at their very core, and women who we want to share with the world.
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Introducing Simone Pound, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for the Professional Footballers Association who kicks off (see what we did there?) the first in our series profiling inspirational Cwene’s….who we know and love.
Tell us what you do and the path you travelled to get there:
I work for the footballers union known as the PFA which represents the 5,000 professional players playing the Premier League, Championship and WSL. My role is Director of EDI (Equality Diversity and Inclusion) and I am responsible for writing and implementing the EDI strategy internally and externally across the game.
We’ve been pushing for equality across the industry and I’m proud of our success although it’s a never ending challenge. 2020 and the murder of George Floyd saw players taking the knee for the BLM movement. This has been pivotal in moving the agenda forward and much of the work that I do is player-focused and player-centric.
Reflecting on your journey so far, what are your proudest achievements?
The #Enough campaign which was a social media boycott in 2019 and again in 2020 to highlight the issue players face online around discrimination. The whole concept and delivery came from my team and we worked closely with players, clubs, advertisers and broadcasters to challenge the platforms. I knew we’d made an impact when the share price on Twitter dropped and the Online Safety Act, which is going through Parliament now, is the result of a lot of lobbying to change the laws on behaviour online.
Also being named as one Nelson Mandelas Women of the World was a career high for obvious reasons. I’m also proud I’ve brought up my 2 kids whilst working, it was no mean feat and they do me proud every day.
If you could give 20 year old you some advice on life, what would it be?
I would tell her she’s gonna be just fine and she’s doing great so far. Maybe to overthink and worry less but I have to say I’ve had a level head and strong shoulders since my teens and it's served me well.
Name some of the women who have inspired you and why…
I find women powerful and inspiring from some of the teachers I had in my early years to writers like Maya Angelou and singers like Neneh Cherry who was my first mixed heritage role model and Whitney whose first album was such a game changer for me as a teen.
Neneh Cherry
To early career role models like Tricia Jones (i-D Magazine) and Pat MacGrath (Makeup Artist) and Patti Wilson (Stylist) who were smashing it in the 90s to some of the women in football I’ve worked with many behind the scenes and not
household names but doing great things. And of course my Nan, Mum and daughter who are the golden thread of my life.
On the beach in the sun with my loves.
Favourite song, recipe, book or artist?
My all time favourite recipe is my nan’s saltfish fritters.
