UEFA People stories: Barbara Albertoni's 31 years of service at UEFA
martedì 10 marzo 2026
Intro articolo
From joining an HR team of just two people to supporting a workforce that has grown to more than 800, Barbara has been a constant source of dedication, care and stability throughout our evolution.
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Corpo articolo
At UEFA, our colleagues tend to build long and meaningful careers with us, a reflection of the strong sense of purpose and community that defines our organisation. And then there are the true pillars, those who have been part of the journey almost since the very beginning.
One of them is Barbara Albertoni, who celebrates an extraordinary 31-year jubilee at UEFA this year. She has witnessed our evolution first-hand, from a team of just 40 employees to more than 800 today. Barbara has devoted three decades of professionalism, dedication and kindness to UEFA, particularly within the Human Resources team, which itself has grown from 2 people to 20 under her watch.
In this interview, she reflects on her responsibilities, the projects that shaped her career, the many transformations she has seen across the organisation and the advice she would give to her younger self starting 30 years ago.
How have your responsibilities evolved over the years?
When I first joined HR, we were only two people in the team. I started as the personal assistant to the Administration Director, taking care of tasks such as creating employee files, updating job descriptions and staff regulations. At that time, UEFA had around 40 employees.
As the organisation grew, so did my role. I became an HR specialist with a strong focus on recruitment, helping UEFA expand to around 280 employees. It was a fantastic adventure that allowed me to understand the nature and needs of each department and to contribute to building teams that worked well together.
"I became an HR specialist with a strong focus on recruitment, helping UEFA expand from 40 to around 280 employees."
Over time, I took on additional responsibilities, from organising training courses and conferences to coordinating social events and well-being initiatives. I’ve always believed that everyone contributes to making UEFA a great place to work, and in my role, I wanted to help people develop, grow and flourish. That naturally led me to transition into a coaching role, which I truly enjoy.
Today, with a larger HR team in place, my responsibilities have evolved into a Senior Care & People Development expert role. My focus is on developing competencies, knowledge and skills to help staff grow, feel supported within the organisation, and navigate career transitions, promotions or challenging situations they may face.
What changes have you witnessed and experienced during your time here?
When our organisation had around 300 people, it truly felt like a family. We didn’t just recognise each other in the corridors, we knew one another personally, including each other’s strengths, challenges and even parts of our lives outside work. That closeness made it easier to connect, navigate the organisation and have a meaningful impact.
Today, with a much larger workforce, it can sometimes be more challenging to understand how best to support everyone, or to identify which trainings, ideas or programmes will motivate staff and help them develop the competencies they need for their future roles and projects.
"The level of professionalism, expertise, passion and dedication across UEFA is remarkable."
That said, there is real beauty in our growth. The level of professionalism, expertise, passion and dedication across UEFA is remarkable. We have incredibly talented individuals working here.
It’s wonderful to know everyone, but it’s equally meaningful to know a few people deeply, quality over quantity. With more than 800 employees today, we benefit from a rich diversity of personalities and cultures. What inspires me most is that despite our differences, we all share the same pride in being here, working for football and striving toward a common goal.
What has been the standout moment or highlight of your career so far?
One moment that has stayed with me was the retirement of Mr Aigner, former UEFA General Secretary, in 2003. He delivered a powerful, heartfelt speech reflecting on a life dedicated to football and his role in creating the Champions League. He reminded us of the importance of our humanity, family, fatherhood and life beyond work. It was an authentic and moving moment that left a lasting impression on me.
When I look back on the projects I’ve been part of, I’m proud of both the small and large initiatives we’ve developed in HR to foster an engaging and healthy work environment. Whether it’s offering staff a space to discuss their career development, supporting them through difficult professional or personal moments, or simply having meaningful conversations, I’ve seen people arrive hesitant but gradually open up and feel safe to be themselves. Accompanying them on that journey is something I truly value.
The annual Development Centre is one of the projects closest to my heart. It allows us to support future leaders by taking the time to understand their stories, potential and challenges, and to help them grow both as individuals and as managers.
I’m also proud of the support we’ve provided to parents through childcare contributions, as well as the many initiatives that began as simple ideas we dared to try. Our wish to encourage physical activity, for example, grew into regular health and wellbeing programmes with financial support for sports participation. Seeing colleagues genuinely appreciate these initiatives has been incredibly rewarding.
What has been your biggest learning over the past 30 years?
I’ve learned that intuition is powerful. For a long time, I didn’t always dare to speak up, but over the years I realised that sharing my thoughts helps the team reflect, grow and make better decisions.
I’ve also come to believe that difficult discussions are necessary. There are many ways to express things, and as long as we remain respectful and empathetic, we can build solutions together. That principle has guided me throughout my journey.
"There are many ways to express things, and as long as we remain respectful and empathetic, we can build solutions together."
How do you stay motivated and inspired after 30 years?
Working with people is what keeps me motivated. I’m constantly learning - understanding behaviours, strengths and vulnerabilities - and that ongoing discovery continues to inspire me.
I’m also fortunate to be surrounded by kind and supportive colleagues. Their positivity fuels mine, and I naturally gravitate toward uplifting environments. I know I’m a positive person, and that mindset helps me stay energised and engaged.
If you could go back and speak to your younger self at the start of your career, what advice would you give?
I would tell my younger self to be more ambitious. When I look at younger generations today, I admire how unafraid they are to aim high. That said, if I had to live my life again, I’d probably do everything the same; it’s simply who I am (laughs). But to my children, I always say: be ambitious, be strategic and trust yourself.