Paul Barber & Roberto de Zerbi

Rockwater In Conversation With

Paul Barber has a long history in professional football, having been active in the industry for nearly 25 years. He is currently the Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, having been appointed as CEO over 10 years ago. He was the very first Marketing Director of the Football Association, and is credited with modernising and commercialising the organisation. His initiatives have focused on supporting English football, Women’s football, youth academy systems, and making the sport accessible for disabled players. To this day, Barber is still making strides in the world of football and has been recognised for his services to football in the 2023 New Year Honours List, having been awarded an OBE. Roberto De Zerbi is a distinguished football manager and former player who is currently the head coach of the Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion. He is among the 100 youngest managers and the 13th Italian to be a head coach in Premier League history. His knack for coaching has earned him widespread respect, and he has become admired for the tactical approach that he has demonstrated in his work at Sassuolo and Shakhtar. Paul created the groundwork and contributed to the club's transformation on and off the field. With Brighton's newest innovator and his undeniable talent demonstrated by his work in Italy and Ukraine, Roberto's strategy is paying off, and what he has accomplished is unquestionably noteworthy. To find out about our live podcast recordings head to our website, www.rockwater.uk, where you’ll find even more events and content, including details of our lifestyle subscription programme Open Water.