We are pleased to announce that Rachel Beckett has been appointed the new Chair of the Port Vale Foundation.

Rachel takes on the role after Carol Shanahan stepped down following the Shanahan's takeover of Port Vale Football Club. Carol will remain on the foundation's board alongside club CEO Colin Garlick.

Rachel is currently head teacher at Sandon Primary Academy in Stoke on Trent and has taken the school on an incredible journey over the last decade, culminating in an outstanding Ofsted rating in 2017. Her support to the Foundation has been instrumental in helping the team develop and sustain its link both in primary and secondary schools. 

The Foundation currently has links with 22 schools offering a range of school sport and educational programmes through its services.

Port Vale's co-chair, Carol Shanahan, would like to wish Rachel the best of luck in her new role.

"I’m delighted that Rachel has been appointed as Chair of the Foundation. I feel that I’m handing the position over to very safe hands. She’s a passionate Vale fan with lots of experience in ingrowing successful organisations and I thoroughly believe the foundation has a very bright future under Rachel.

Head of community, Tom Sherratt said: "I’m delighted Rachel has been appointed as chair. She has been pivotal in our growth with schools over the last 12 months and has great knowledge of the local area helping the Foundation to establish its links within education.

"Rachel shares the drive and ambition of the Foundation and her continued support now as chair will be much appreciated."