Lynsey Talbot is in her 28th season working for Blackburn Rovers, having joined the club in November 1996.
During this time, she has carried out a wide range of roles, working collaboratively across all areas of the club, including Football Administrator, Secretary to Club Secretary, PA to Chief Executive, Events Manager, Office Manager, General Manager and, most recently, Head of Operations.
Her Head of Operations remit incorporates all areas of stadium management, including administration, cleaning, maintenance, matchday safety, and health and safety.
Alongside these areas, she has undertaken a number of additional responsibilities and sub-roles, including Head of Customer Service, Head of ED&I, Supporter Liaison Officer and Covid Officer, where she managed the supporter liaison, complaints, feedback and reporting, and also all areas of Equality Diversity & Inclusion.
She is also a Trustee for Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, where she leads on the People, Culture and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Sub-Committee, which incorporates all areas of ED&I, both from a staffing perspective and also in regard to external programmes and reach.
Lynsey was also selected as a panel member for the EFL Together campaign launch panel last August, as well as for the Raise Your Game seminar at Ewood Park in November, to discuss increasing opportunities for South Asian communities and women in football.
Over recent years, Lynsey has played an instrumental and central role in helping Rovers be named EFL Family Club of the Year two years running (2017 and 2018), as well as winners of the inaugural Diversity Award at last year’s EFL Awards.
“Blackburn Rovers have always been at the heart of the community and it is great that we are making huge strides in becoming more representative of the town with the relationships we have built, not just with Proud Rovers, but also with the local Asian community and, more recently, #HerGameToo,” said Lynsey, who is a role model for the company, emulating the club’s values and championing best practice.
“We’re a winning team at Blackburn Rovers, both on and off the pitch, and one of the things that stands out is that everyone, right from the very top, wants to make a difference for the communities that we serve.
“When Hannah approached us in 2019 regarding setting up a Proud Rovers supporter group, it was a no-brainer for the club to get involved. Our relationship has gone from strength to strength, with the committee assisting us with commissioning our first Pride/Rainbow range of products for sale in the Roverstore, taking a seat on the Fans Forum and joining us as part of our #OneRovers celebrations.
“Following the success of the inaugural Blackburn Pride, I am delighted to advise that we will again be sponsoring this year’s event and working in partnership with Proud Rovers to make our presence on the day even greater than last year. We hope to see you all there on Saturday June 17th.
“Whilst we have made great strides to ensure that Ewood Park is a safe and inclusive football environment for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, we know that there is still work to be done. I would therefore ask if anyone does experience any form of discrimination on a matchday you report it, anonymously if you would prefer, on the text service we provide (07340 294474).
“Although we appreciate this can at times be uncomfortable, it is much easier for us to deal with a situation on matchday, as after the event it can be difficult to identify an individual.”
