Bullingham is an experienced commercial leader with a proven success of growing and developing sports businesses.
He joins The FA at a key time with a new strategic vision across its core assets of Wembley Stadium connected by EE and St. George’s Park, The Emirates FA Cup, The SSE Women’s FA Cup, England and FA Women’s Super League as well as the pledge to grow the grassroots game.
In taking up his new post on 15 August, he leaves his role as CEO EMEA for Fuse Sports & Entertainment, within Omnicom Media Group. Over the past five years, Bullingham has built and led a team of 245 people in 19 offices throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
He replaces the outgoing Stuart Turner, who after 11 years’ service, announced last November he was to leave The FA this month. During his time at Wembley, Turner has done much to transform the fortunes of the organisation with over £1.5bn in attributable revenue generated.
Bullingham will bring high-level experience of working across the world in a variety of major sports and events, developing strategies and then delivering them for a range of international clients.
In so doing, he has forged close relationships with global teams, franchises and governing bodies – all of which will be invaluable as The FA looks towards the 2017 UEFA Women’s EURO in the Netherlands, the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and beyond.
Previously in his career, as director of marketing at the America's Cup, Bullingham helped radically change the leading global sailing event to increase its appeal and commercial interest. A qualified Level One coach involved in grassroots football, he also has previous experience of FA matters, having overseen the E.ON account for Brand Rapport when it ran The FA Cup lead sponsorship.
He said: “It took a fantastic opportunity for me to consider leaving Fuse, but the potential with this role at this time for The FA is so exciting. I am very much looking forward to working with the team at The FA and building on their excellent reputation within the sports industry.
“There is plenty of potential for us to play our part in helping The FA’s ambitious plans for the future and I look forward to forging even closer ties across domestic and international football. Ultimately, we can play a hugely influential role in shaping how The FA is positioned and perceived inside and outside of sporting circles.”
FA chief executive Martin Glenn said: “I am delighted to welcome Mark to The FA at what is a very positive time and he will have an important role to play on our senior management team. As a not-for-profit governing body, any commercial revenues we can generate are reinvested back into the game from the grassroots up.
"I am confident Mark can help us to maximise this even further so we can continue to direct significant funds towards getting more people involved in the game, particularly through coaching and facilities.
“We have a solid financial base, an outstanding and valued roster of commercial and broadcast partners and dedicated staff at Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park that are committed to our aim of rebuilding The FA as a world-class organisation. Mark’s arrival will be integral to helping us to achieve this goal.”
