Kick It Out chair Sanjay Bhandari will leave his role at the end of the 2026/27 season after serving as chair for over seven years. During his tenure, Bhandari oversaw significant transformation including improved financial independence, governance changes with a new board and leadership team, and a restructured team organization. The charity launched its five-year "Football United" strategy and appointed Samuel Okafor as chief executive in 2024.

The chairman called it a "tremendous honour" and emphasized the vision of uniting governing bodies, clubs, players and communities for lasting change. He stated the new chair will lead an experienced board and collaborate closely with the chief executive to represent Kick It Out's status as a leader in equality and inclusion. Bhandari was awarded an MBE in 2024 for services to football.

A formal recruitment process begins by end of December 2026, with the successor starting July 1, 2027. This marks a pivotal moment for the organisation as it enters a challenging phase focused on enhancing inclusivity and combating discrimination within football.