Mel, who has over 30 years’ HR experience in sport, retail and the public sector, has led on The FA’s strategic people initiatives with her extensive professional experience of managing change, restructuring and employee engagement.
FA CEO Martin Glenn said: “We want to thank Mel for all of her hard work since joining The FA in 2007. She has been a great leader of the HR function and has taken the company through some major changes such as the move from Soho Square to the latest reorganisation.
"In my short time so far at The FA I have been impressed by her tenacity and determination to improve our effectiveness and these qualities along with her vast experience will be missed. We wish Mel all the best with the next stage of her career.
Millner added: “I will always look back on my time at The FA with great fondness and pride. It is a wonderful place to work and I have had the pleasure of working with all the very talented people we have in our organisation and in particular I would like to thank my very professional and dedicated HR team for all their support and hard work over the years.
"I can look back proudly on our move to Wembley Stadium and, of course, being on the project team for St. George’s Park, our equally inspirational national football centre.
“Working in sport has been a real honour and opportunity, but the time is now right for me personally to move onto another stage in my career. I wish Martin and the senior management team every success as they enter a new period of The FA’s journey.”
Rachel Brace has been named as The FA’s new HR director and will join the organisation in the New Year.
Rachel is currently the HR director for England Rugby 2015, the tournament organisers for the recent World Cup.
She was one of the early members of the team responsible for building and mobilising a workforce of over 6,000 people and prior to this she was the head of HR operations for the London 2012 Olympic Games, having joined the team in 2007.
Speaking of the appointment, Glenn said: “Rachel was a key player in the 2012 organisation’s journey from small-to-big and transforming itself from an HQ in London to a multi-venue world class sporting event.
“I believe that Rachel's background and experience is a great match for the challenges that lie ahead and I am delighted to say she will be joining us."
The first half of Rachel’s career was spent in retail, namely Marks and Spencer, where she gained some valuable skills and experience through the changing times of the organisation, particularly in her last role there as head of HR for the clothing division.
