National League chairman Brian Barwick awarded an OBE for his services to sport and broadcasting

The National League chairman Brian Barwick has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List for services to sport and broadcasting.

Barwick, 66, has enjoyed a long and distinguished career, spanning over forty years, with senior roles in both major sports broadcasting organisations and high-profile sports governing bodies.

Liverpool-born Barwick started his working life as a journalist on the North-Western Evening Mail, before joining BBC Television Sport in 1979- the beginning of a 25-year career in the TV industry, helping discover and develop some of the outstanding on-screen sports broadcasters of recent times.

In January 2005, Barwick was appointed the Chief Executive of the Football Association, overseeing the completion of a Wembley Stadium rebuild, launching the Respect campaign and appointing two England senior coaches. He also served on committees at both UEFA and FIFA.

On leaving the FA in late 2008, Barwick opened his own consultancy business, before being appointed the Chairman of the Rugby Football League and Super League (Europe) Ltd in 2013, which included a successful Bid to stage the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

In 2017, Brian chaired Liverpool’s Bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games and he is now Chairman of Sport Liverpool.

Brian is a current member of the FA Council and remains Chairman of The National League.

"I am extremely proud to have received an OBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List for my Services to Sport and Sports Broadcasting," said Barwick.

"It caps a career that stretches back over forty years during which I have been able to turn a childhood passion into a hugely satisfying professional life in and around the world of sport.

"In that time I have been privileged to work for some of this country’s leading broadcast and sporting institutions and been blessed with having had so many remarkably talented people as colleagues and friends.

"In turn, in recent years, I have enjoyed helping guide many young people starting out on their own professional lives in sport or sports broadcasting.

"My own lengthy career has allowed me the opportunity to witness many iconic sporting moments up close – and I have never been less than enthralled by the sheer determination and incredible ability of world-class sporting performers.

"Equally, I am never happier than when, as a touch-line dad, I watch my sons, Jack and Joe, enjoying their own sporting achievements at grass-roots level.

"I would like to thank my wife, Gerry, for her love and unfailing support, whenever, my career took its latest twist and turn.

"And in closing I would like to dedicate this Award to my late parents, John and Jean Barwick, who first nurtured my life-long love of sport.”

Visit The National League website: www.thenationalleague.org.uk