Leadership Council

Elias Figueroa

Co-Founder & President

Elías Ricardo Figueroa Brander is a former Chilean football player known in South America as "Don" Elias as a sign of respect, and is one of FIFA's 100 greatest players of all time and co-founder of Football for Peace.

He is widely regarded across the world as Chile's greatest... footballer of all time, as well as one of the greatest defenders of all time. The statistical data of the Brazilian Football Championship shows Elias to be the best foreign player, playing in the league in the twentieth century.

He is a two time Champion of the Brazilian National... Championship, winner of 3 Silver Balls as the best defender of the year and 2 Gold Balls (1972 and 1976) for the best player of the year, playing alongside footballing icons such as Rivellino, Jairizinho , Tostao, Pelé and many others in 5 years playing at Sport Club Internacional from Porto Alegre, in Brazil.

He was also awarded the South American Footballer of the Year three times in a row by Venezuelan newspaper El Mundo in 1974, 1975 and 1976. He was named Best Player in Uruguay in 1967 and 1968, and Best Player in Chile in 1977 and 1978. After retiring, he was named one of the world's 125 best living soccer players by Pelé in 2004, and was also voted 8th best South American and 37th best player in the world of the 20th Century by the IFFHS in 1999.

Figueroa played for several clubs during his long career, notably his hometown club Santiago Wanderers, Brazilian club Internacional and Uruguayan club Peñarol. He also represented Chile 47 times, appearing in three FIFA World Cups, in 1966, 1974, and 1982. Figueroa was noted for his elegant style of play, his composure in the centre of defence and his ability to cut out opposition attacks and immediately launch counterattacks from the back with his passing.

He was also praised throughout his career for being a gentleman on and off the pitch. Don Elias is also has been a huge philanthropist of the pitch and in 2006 Elias established Futbol Por La Paz (Football for Peace) at the UN with the late Kofi Annan. During the same time he initiated The Gol Iluminado Corporacion’ which has evolved to become a dynamic and prolific force for good providing Education through Sport to families and children in need and at risk from harm. Recognised by world leaders, organisations and individuals for their contribution to Sport for Development.

Kash Siddiqi

Co-Founder & Lead Ambassador

Since making a debut on the international circuit and playing in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Qualifiers, Kash Siddiqi has become known to many as South Asia’s philanthropic football globetrotter. His contribution on and off the field has led him to have been invited to play in the most militarised zones... in the world, Kashmir, India, making him the first British Asian to have represented the Pakistani national team and to play in the Indian part of conflicted Kashmir. He is also one of a handful of British South Asians to have made it in the professional ranks in the UK.... His journey in sport is one of many travelled routes and philanthropic accomplishments.

In 2013, he became only one of eleven British South Asians to have been signed by an English Professional League Club. He was also the first British South Asian to have been awarded a scholarship for soccer in the USA and play professional football in Europe, North America and the Middle East. Giving Kash a very strong USP – which he has used to give back and bridge gaps for underrepresented communities both locally and internationally.

His achievements both on and off the pitch through charitable work to-date are all credited to his mother and faith in God. In 2011, he founded the Kashif Siddiqi Foundation and in 2013, co-founded the Football for Peace, Kash has become renowned for his humanitarian efforts and has been recognised for his goodwill work by HRH The Duke of Cambridge – Prince William, Former Prime Minister David Cameron, His Highness Prince Ali of Jordan, Pope Francis and the United Nations. In 2013, he was inaugurated as a Champion of Peace, by Peace and Sport- under the High Patronage of His Highness Prince Albert II for his global charitable ventures.in 2016, Kash was invited to open a press conference by the poticital of vatican on sport at the service of humanity.

In 2017 he was the Winner of Power Brands Global Award as growing philanthropic athlete. He was further honoured in 2019 at 9th Annual Better World Awards in Monte Carlo as ‘Humanitarian Athlete of the Year Award’. In the same year he was invited to the 74th United Nations General Assembly in NYC to discuss the power of football being used as a force for good.

Jay Jadeja

Head of Global Affairs

Jay is an ex professional tennis player who was appointed as the CEO of Football for Peace in 2015. Jay has played an integral part in shaping the charities pillars and has driven debates to governments around the world on how sport can play an important role to tackle some of the toughest issues within communities.

He has overseen young peace leader projects across four... continents that have engaged and impacted over 10,000 young people. With Jay’s professional sporting background, he understands the power that sport can play in today’s society. Using sport as a vehicle to help humanity in today’s climate is something Jay is committed to and Football for Peace has given him the opportunity to do so. Jay now works on all legal, compliance, and diplomatic affairs across international offices throughout the world.

Sara Vite

Special Envoy

Sara works as Special Envoy for Football for Peace and Special Advisor to our co-founders.

Sara is part of the core operational team overseeing the various departments within Football for peace, she also works closely with the head of global affairs in strategizing, operating and overseeing the global FfP offices, activations and delivery of activities worldwide. She forms an integral part of the development of the Social impact arm for the charity, contributing to the strategy and delivery of initiatives and sustainable businesses.

Sara holds a BA degree in Chinese and International Relations, receiving a 1st in her dissertation on the subject... of Gender Equality, specialising in the changing course of Feminism in China and rising forms of Feminist Activism.

Sara studied a year in China at Nanjing Normal University, where she went on to receive a scholarship and graduated with a distinction in Chinese studies and language. Apart from studying Chinese language, she is also fluent in Spanish language.

David E Fuller

UK General Counsel

David oversees all the UK office’s legal, operative and business needs of the organization. He has more than 30 years of experience in the international energy and utility space directing global teams in blue chip companies. As an executive member at the charity, David brings his experience having sat on company boards... and led international negotiations, managed development opportunities and operating asset businesses in the Americas, MENA and Asia.

Among his... significant previous positions, David served as Global Head for London based trading operation, Board member of an international shipping business, commercial director in Asia and Managing Director of an international advisory business. Companies include BG plc, RWE AG, Lattice plc, Excelerate Energy, National Grid plc and Santos Ltd.

In his various roles David has gained and understanding of the balance between driving businesses and the political/financial constraints, he has acted as principal representative on a number of large international projects and acquisitions and has the ability to lead top tier professional teams. He has a good understanding of technical, financial, legal, tax aspects of business and has operated in a best in class in a commercial environment.

David holds a BSc (Hons) and an MBA.

Sharon Jones

Nationwide Programmes Lead

With over 17 years' experience in funding, Sharon is a passionate advocate for investing in people's potential to build strong, vibrant communities. As a former head of funding at The National Lottery Community Fund she developed innovative funding initiatives, leading a network of local teams across England in bringing grant making closer...... to communities.

She has actively joined forces with other funders to collectively address issues such as homelessness and exploitation of young people, representing the Fund on the national Child Sexual Exploitation Funders Alliance. Sharon is also a director runs her own company continuing to support the growth of organisations with a social purpose, particularly those with a focus on using sport for change. She is also Vice Chair of the Co-op Foundation.

In her spare time, Sharon keeps active through her love of all sport and is a lifelong Manchester United supporter.

Ikram Butt

Regional Programme Lead

Ikram made sporting history becoming the first British Asian to represent England at Rugby League.

Ikram was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Sport Science by Leeds Beckett University and a Fellowship by Bradford College for his contribution towards community development and sport. Ikram is hands on with the Young Peace leaders.

Shane Cojocarel

Projects and Social Media

Shane is an English-born Romanian professional footballer who landed spent his youth years at QPR and Barnet. He landed his first team pro at Barnet FC and faced several injuries. Shane then went onto play for Billericay Town and is now currently playing semi -professional for Cheshunt FC. Shane brings vast experience of football knowledge to the team and is very passionate in workinAddg to help nurture future generations.

Jessica Cleaver

Young Peace Leaders Spokesperson (Birmingham 2015 Graduate)

Jessica was a City for Peace graduate out of Birmingham where since she has delivered multiple community outreach projects in Birmingham. Jessica also led a discussion on behalf of Football for Peace to an audience on how sport can play a role in development of confidence and leadership. Jessica met HRH in Birmingham in 2015 to receive her City for Peace diploma.

Abdul Gaffar

Young Peace Leaders Spokesperson (Birmingham 2015 Graduate)

Abdul was a City for Peace graduate out of Birmingham who has since enrolled into Aston University where he is studying business management. He feels the City for Peace programme has helped him develop better communication skills amongst his peers and being a natural leader he is now been able to convert these developments into his progression at University. Abdul met HRH in Birmingham in 2015 to receive his City for Peace diploma.

Venus Ashu

Young Peace Leader Spokesperson (Birmingham 2017 Graduate)

Bio to follow.

Mathew Arnold

Digital

Bio to follow.