Paul Newman, former director of communications at the Football Association, has joined the marketing and events agency, Benchmark Sport, as consultant director.

Newman, 46, will focus on developing Benchmark’s PR and personality management businesses and started work at the company’s London office this week.

Benchmark Sport owns and runs the Sport Industry Awards as well as managing leading sports personalities including the Rugby World Cup winners Will Greenwood and Richard Hill and Olympic Gold Medalist rowers, Steve Williams and Ed Coode.

Newman was media chief at the FA for three years until the summer of 2003. He previously spent two decades as a broadcaster, including three years as sports correspondent for BBC News. He supervised all media relations around the England football team and built a close relationship with the head coach, Sven Goran Eriksson.

Since leaving the FA, Newman established his own consultancy, Paul Newman Communications and was hired as media adviser for Eriksson’s partner, Nancy Dell’Olio. He also spent nine months in the public sector as interim communications director at Cardiff County Council.

Today, the managing director of Benchmark Sport, Nick Keller, said: ‘We are delighted that someone of Paul’s credentials has joined Benchmark Sport. Obviously Paul brings with him significant experience and heavy weight contacts in both the media and public relations. There is no doubt that his arrival at Benchmark Sport marks a huge step forward for the business and gives us a more balanced offering in terms of creativity and big brand delivery.’

Paul Newman said: ‘I’m delighted to be working at Benchmark Sport. As one of the most innovative agencies in the industry, they have a great reputation and I’m looking forward to help build the business with such a talented group of people.’

For further information on this release please contact Sarah Kendall or Matt Jones at Benchmark Sport on 0207 240 7700 or sarah@benchmarksport.com or matt@benchmarksport.com