Dr Sian Massey-Ellis MBE

Dr Sian Massey-Ellis MBE is one of the world’s most respected football officials, best known as a Premier League Assistant Referee and FIFA International Assistant Referee. With more than fifteen years of experience officiating at the game, Sian has broken barriers for women in elite sport while becoming a leading voice on leadership, resilience and inclusion. As a motivational speaker, she inspires audiences with first-hand insight into performing under intense pressure, overcoming stereotypes and thriving in environments where excellence is constantly scrutinised. She is an outstanding choice for leadership conferences, corporate events, education forums, diversity programmes and sporting organisations seeking practical lessons on high performance and confidence.

After earning a First Class Degree in Sports Science from Birmingham Newman University, Sian began her career as a Physical Education Teacher and School Sport Coordinator at Foxford School. Her grounding in education developed her ability to engage, encourage and motivate people from all backgrounds. Combined with her passion for sport, this experience gives her presentations an authentic and relatable style that resonates with audiences at every level. Sian progressed to become a Premier League Assistant Referee and FIFA International Assistant Referee, establishing herself among football’s elite officials. She became the first Englishwoman to officiate in a men’s UEFA Europa League fixture and the first female official to take charge at the FA Community Shield.

Alongside officiating, she serves on the PGMOL Inclusion and Diversity Advisory Committee, completed coaching development and leadership programmes, and has spoken at the House of Commons on increasing female participation in sport. These experiences allow her to share powerful lessons on leadership, decision-making and creating inclusive cultures. Her achievements have earned widespread recognition, including an MBE and an Honorary Doctor of Science from Newman University. She has also served as a Board Member of Christ the King School in Coventry, reflecting her continued commitment to education, leadership and community development.

Sian is hired as a motivational speaker because she combines elite sporting achievement with practical leadership expertise. Drawing on experiences from the world’s biggest football stages, she delivers engaging and honest talks on resilience, teamwork, handling pressure, diversity and breaking barriers. Audiences leave with actionable strategies for performing under scrutiny, embracing change and leading with confidence, making her an exceptional speaker for businesses, educational institutions, sporting organisations and conferences focused on inspiring high performance and inclusive leadership.