Birmingham, England, United Kingdom, May 2025 – Lisa Bailey has stepped into the role of Chief People Officer at Aston Villa Football Club, marking the latest milestone in her impactful HR leadership journey at one of England’s most storied football institutions. In this expanded role, she will spearhead strategic people initiatives, employee engagement, and talent development efforts—aligning HR practices with the club’s long-term vision for performance and excellence.
Lisa has been a key figure in Aston Villa’s people operations for over eight years. Most recently, she served as Head of Human Resources, where she provided executive oversight of people practices, supported organizational transformation, and elevated the club’s HR capabilities across diverse business units.
Prior to that, she held progressive HR leadership roles within Aston Villa, including Senior Human Resources Business Partner, HR Business Partner, and earlier, as part of the wider HR team where she championed cultural integration, policy design, and performance development strategies to support the club’s evolving workforce.
Beyond Aston Villa, Lisa has played an influential role in the CIPD Birmingham Branch, serving as a Committee Member, Treasurer, Secretary, and Web Editor over the years—actively contributing to professional development events and strengthening the HR community across the Midlands.
Her earlier roles at Birmingham City University, Technology Innovation Centre, and Birmingham Midshires further honed her expertise in workforce transformation, HR systems integration, and employee relations—laying a strong foundation for her success in the high-performance environment of elite football.
About Aston Villa Football Club
Aston Villa Football Club, founded in 1874, is one of the oldest and most respected clubs in English football. Based at the iconic Villa Park stadium in Birmingham, the club blends historic tradition with modern ambition—both on and off the pitch. Beyond its success in football, the club is known for delivering award-winning hospitality, offering a unique venue for corporate events, matchday experiences, and large-scale gatherings. With continued renovations and an expanding global footprint, Aston Villa remains a pillar of excellence in sport and service.
Read Also : HR Is Not a Support Function—It’s the CEO’s Most Powerful Growth Engine
The Fine Balance: Navigating Work, Life, and Mental Wellbeing
From Gatekeeping to Gateway Building: Transforming How Organisations Create Access
Leadership In Talent Management: A Powerful Driver for Economic Growth
