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The Women in Football and Xero Small Business Programme 2026: Meet Tracey, Lorne and Zaynab
22 January 2026
As the third season of the Women in Football and Xero Small Business Programme continues, we're introducing the next trio of women who are involved and are shining a spotlight on their companies.
The programme offers a package of mentoring, networking and expert advice which has already proved transformational for many female-led enterprises, and these aspiring businesswomen are next up to receive a boost.
Tracey Smith
Company name: Player Care and Support Services Limited
Company established: Incorporated August 2023 and launched January 2024
Employees: No employees, but 2 consultants
What does the company do? Player Care and Support Services provides holistic, people-first support to football clubs, players, and their families. We focus on wellbeing, transition, and off-pitch stability, ensuring individuals feel supported, settled, and able to perform at their best in a demanding football environment.
Describe yourself: I’m a football professional specialising in player care, wellbeing, and support services. As Founder and Managing Director of PCSS, I work closely with clubs, players, and families to help them thrive off the pitch. I’m also a mentor, podcast co-host, and passionate advocate for people-first approaches in football.
Background connection to football: My background in football spans player care, governance, and leadership roles. I’ve worked with Hibernian FC across men’s and women’s football, served as a Non-Executive Director and Chair, and supported players and families at every stage of their journey. Football has been central to my professional and personal life for many years. My first encounter with football was when I was 8. My stepdad took me to watch Hibernian FC and from then I was hooked.
Why did you want to join the programme and what are you hoping to gain? I wanted to join the programme to continue learning, connect with peers across the football industry and business, and further develop my leadership and strategic skills. I’m keen to gain new perspectives, share experiences, and strengthen my impact in business and within football. I find as I get older, I have a lack of confidence and a bit of imposter syndrome at times.
What have you benefitted most from being a WIF member? Being a WIF member has provided a strong sense of community, support, and shared understanding. I’ve benefited most from connecting with inspiring women across football, learning from their experiences, and having a trusted network that encourages collaboration, confidence, and continued personal and professional growth.
Connect with Tracey on LinkedIn.
Lorne Magill
Company name: Gals FC
Company established: Started in September 2022 and incorporated in March 2024
Employees: 2 (our founders) but we plan on hiring in 2026
What does the company do? Women's recreational football communities across the UK.
Describe yourself: Entrepreneur at heart with a career built in startups. I love creating moments that make people feel seen, connected, and joyful, whether that is handwriting 100 Christmas cards for volunteers or building communities at scale. I previously founded Closeknit, a team offsite company, and more recently turned Gals FC from a hobby into a community-led business.
Background connection to football: Before starting Gals FC, football was not on my radar. I didn't even watch the Euros in 2022! Spotting a lack of community in our lives, we began playing for fun and connection. Football is now woven into my life, my family, and I am deeply excited to be part of such an inspiring industry.
Why did you want to join the programme and what are you hoping to gain? I wanted to join this programme to meet other ambitious entrepreneurs and operators building within football and to learn from their experiences. It also offers structured time away from day-to-day operations to think strategically about the bigger picture and how we continue to grow Gals FC into a nationwide, category-defining provider.
What have you benefitted most from being a WIF member? My standout WIF moment was attending the Be Inspired Conference 2025. Hearing funny, intelligent women who had achieved incredible things in football was genuinely energising. It boosted my confidence, expanded my perspective, and made me excited and ambitious about my future career in the game.
Connect with Lorne on LinkedIn.
Zaynab Osman
Company name: Bee Impact Consultancy
Company established: April 2025
Employees: Just me
What does the company do? Bee Impact Consultancy empowers organisations to scale their reach through specialist consultancy in research, strategy and impact measurement. We help secure vital funding by showcasing evidence and building practical frameworks for growth. Our approach combines data-driven insights with bespoke team training, allowing organisations to translate their core vision into sustainable, measurable change for the communities they support.
Describe yourself: Zaynab is an impact driven researcher and founder of Bee Impact Consultancy, specialising in bespoke evaluation for sport for development. With nine years of experience, predominantly built in football, her most notable achievement include: designing the UEFA WEURO 2022 Legacy social impact framework whilst at The FA and serving as the impact lead for two Premier League football club charities. She now leverages her personable and authentic approach to empower organisations nationwide to maximise their impact through her own company.
Background connection to football: As a lifelong Arsenal fan and school football player, Zaynab’s journey began coaching at Palace for Life Foundation. After handling everything from CRM implementation to Safeguarding, she discovered a niche in impact measurement. Driven by civic duty and self-taught in her craft, she further mastered these skills at The FA. She now blends this grassroots and elite experience to lead Bee Impact Consultancy.
Why did you want to join the programme and what are you hoping to gain? Zaynab is applying to gain the financial clarity and strategic mentorship required to take Bee Impact to the next level. The combination of Xero’s business tools and the Women in Football network provides a unique platform to strengthen her operations. This will ensure her consultancy can continue delivering high quality impact measurement and sustainable growth for the organisations she serves.
What have you benefitted most from being a WIF member? Access to opportunities and experiences I never would have had without the network. Positive role models and supporters.
Connect with Zaynab on LinkedIn.
Empower, mentor, succeed
For a third consecutive year, Women in Football and Xero are offering a comprehensive package of support, in a 'game of two halves' format, through the Small Business Programme. The programme provides a culture of belonging and empowerment which offers those taking part the opportunity to connect with other women facing the same daily obstacles.
The first half of the Women in Football and Xero Small Business Programme develops participants' enterprise skills, knowledge and professional networks. While the second half provides one-to-one mentoring by matching up the entrepreneurs with Women in Football members who have already built successful businesses of their own.
Check out some of the highlights and learnings from our previous programmes below.
About Xero
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software platform that connects small business owners with their accountant or bookkeeper, banks and an ecosystem of apps and financial services to help them run their business. Through a range of partnerships, Xero is also aiming to empower and champion women in business and football.
You could get started with Xero today! Try Xero with 90% off for six months when you sign up through the Women in Football affiliate link.
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