In this episode, Eleanor is joined by Janie Frampton for a powerful and deeply honest conversation about change, fairness, and the courage it takes to challenge the status quo.
Janie’s story spans an extraordinary career: becoming the second woman to referee in the men’s professional game in England, serving as one of only a handful of women senior managers at the FA, and spending a decade working with FIFA across World Cups. But this episode is about far more than football.
Janie reflects on the realities of being a woman in a male-dominated environment, the importance of emotional intelligence and communication, and why progress depends not just on representation, but on a genuine shift in mindset. The conversation moves beyond sport into wider society, touching on education, media, leadership, parenting, and the way young people are shaped by the adults and institutions around them. Janie speaks candidly about the need to “de-genderise” decision-making, to stop hiding behind labels, and to focus instead on ability, character, and contribution. She also shares why she believes change doesn’t begin with grand gestures, but with the everyday choices we make in how we speak, listen, hire, lead, and care for others.
If you care about women in sport, leadership, equality, community, or simply the power of one person to make a difference, this episode will leave you thinking long after it ends. Listen in for an inspiring conversation about courage, fairness, and the kind of change that starts when we decide to see people properly.
You can contact Janie via:
LinkedIn: Janie Frampton OBE DL
Website: https://www.janieframpton.com/