Norwich City can confirm a number of staff changes across the club’s sporting operation.
Lee Dunn will transition into the position of Assistant Sporting Director, continuing to lead on all scouting and player recruitment, whilst overseeing player pathways and loans, as well performance analysis and football analytics.
The club are also in the process of appointing a new Head of Scouting, which will report into Dunn moving forward.
Dr. Paul Ford MBE has been appointed as the club’s new Performance Director. Ford joins the club from the British Olympic Association, where he has previously worked for over 15 years. He most recently held the position of Director of Sport, helping shape elite environments where athletes and practitioners thrive under pressure to deliver when it matters most.
Ford has worked extensively across the Olympic and professional sports landscape, leading on high performance strategy design for Team GB at the Olympic Games and has served as Chef de Mission for a number of senior and youth teams.
In his new role at Norwich City, Ford will be responsible for all elements of athlete management, including medical, performance, nutrition and psychology across men’s, women’s and academy teams.
Speaking of the two appointments, sporting director Ben Knapper told canaries.co.uk: “Lee is fully deserving of this step, and I’m looking forward to continuing the close working relationship he and I have.
“He’s a well-respected figure, both inside the club as well as externally, and having him in a role where he can continue to heavily drive scouting and recruitment, whilst also influencing more broadly across other areas of our football operation, will be hugely beneficial.
“Meanwhile, Paul is a really exciting hire, and I’m delighted to welcome him to the club.
“He is a vastly experienced high-performance leader, and his knowledge of elite athlete management across multiple sports will be invaluable for us going forwards.
“He’ll bring a fresh and innovative perspective that will help take our programme to the next level.”
The club can also confirm that Andrew Blofeld has been promoted to the position of Head of Football Administration and Operations.
Blofeld, who had previously held the position of Club Secretary for 15 years, will now move into a new position, which will oversee all aspects of football administration and operations across the club’s first team and academy.
Head of Football Development Dean Rastrick will depart to take up a new position at Everton. Rastrick was appointed in the summer of 2024 and has led on all aspects of the club’s academy and player development.
The process of appointing his replacement is underway.
All at Norwich City would like to thank Dean for his contribution to the club and he departs with everyone’s best wishes.