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The Women in Football and Xero Small Business Programme 2026: Meet Charlotte and Natalie
19 February 2026
We’re keeping the momentum going during season three of the Women in Football and Xero Small Business Programme, and it’s time to meet the next two entrepreneurs from our cohort. Join us as we shine a light on them and the fantastic work their companies are doing.
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.
Charlotte Thomson
Company name: The ONE10 Collective
Company established: September 2025
Employees: Just me
What does the company do? The ONE10 Collective is a consultancy and membership network built to connect brands with the game-changers shaping women’s football. Our ambition is to unlock a new era of growth – boosting visibility, opportunity, and commercial potential across the full ecosystem, not just the elite tier.
Describe yourself: A long suffering Spurs fan (married to a Gooner!), mum to a one year old little girl (and five year old little dog). I recently left my role as Head of Women’s Football at COPA90 to pursue a Masters in Football Business and set up my own consultancy, The ONE10 Collective.
Background connection to football: From managing posters in football stadium toilets to leading women’s football at COPA90, I’ve spent 18 years working at the intersection of sport, culture and fan engagement. My experience spans influential brands including talkSPORT and The FA, now channelled into The ONE10 Collective with a clear ambition: drive sustainable growth across the women’s football ecosystem.
Why did you want to join the programme and what are you hoping to gain? Having been a mentor on this programme for two consecutive years, I have experienced first-hand the benefits of having a mentor. I am hoping joining this programme will help me navigate this transformative time in my career, not only as a new working mum, but balancing running a new business with my studies.
What have you benefitted most from being a WIF member? This I can answer in one word: Connections. The WIF networking events and community have been an invaluable part of my career – from new business opportunities, friendships and mentors, the Women in Football network is unlike any other.
Connect with Charlotte on LinkedIn here.
Natalie Doyle
Company name: Sport Sister and Sport Sister Community
Company established: 2021 (Sport Sister) and 2025 (Sport Sister Community)
Employees: Just me
What does the company do? Sport Sister provides project management, training and consultancy services to support organisations to get more women and girls into sport. Sport Sister Community delivers girls’ football programmes including holiday clubs and after-school clubs, currently focused in Kent.
Describe yourself: Having previously worked for The FA, London FA and various local authorities, I started Sport Sister in 2021 and have worked with clients such as the ECB, Youth Sport Trust, The FA and various leagues and clubs to get more women and girls into sport.
Background connection to football: Motivated by not being able to play football at school until I was 15, I’ve worked in football for more than 20 years, as well as volunteering as a coach, manager, league Chair and various other roles. I’m also a Liverpool men’s season ticket holder.
Why did you want to join the programme and what are you hoping to gain? I feel proud of what I’ve achieved with Sport Sister since I started it in 2021. Now Sport Sister Community has launched, I feel ready to take both businesses to the next level and am keen to learn from others to find the best way to do that.
What have you benefitted most from being a WIF member? You can’t underestimate the value of being connected with other women in this industry, who understand the challenges and opportunities that exist and can provide you with support and encouragement. This has been the best of being a WIF member for me.
Connect with Natalie 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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