Best pitch presenter you’ve ever seen:
Jonathan Neill, Rugby League World Cup 2021. So insightful, knowledgeable and personable. Triple threat.
Best sports marketing campaign (that wasn’t yours):
This Girl Can, FCB Inferno & Sport England. – Changed a lot and you can still see the impact today and we not even halfway there yet!
Best agency (that isn’t yours):
I love the work being done by WePlay and Matta, two excellent agencies in the space. I also follow Ear to the Ground as they have a great culture and offer a truly fan-centric approach to sports marketing.
Best young industry talent:
Hugo Bennett, my number two and right-hand man. He brings knowledge, a cool, calm head and a personal approach to everything he does. He will go far in his career and we are very lucky to have him.
Best sporting event attended:
2015 Rugby World Cup watching Wales in Cardiff. Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. Or any Day at the Oval watching England in a test match, come rain or sun, its always an unreal experience.
Best sporting event on TV:
England World Cup 2020 victory. If only I was there, it would have been in the previous question. You couldn’t write it.
Best brand ambassador:
Marcus Rashford – to initiate so much change, in such uncertain times is unrivalled. If I was a brand, I’d be throwing opportunities at him and trying others to actually change the world, rather than selling aftershave.
Best industry event or conference:
Web Summit in Lisbon was an unreal experience, but Cannes Lions will always bring back fond memories.
Best film containing a scene depicting the sports business:
Moneyball or Jerry McGuire reminds me of my day job.
Best book recommendation:
Shantaram
Best bar or pub:
Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park.
Best restaurant:
Other than the local Indian, it would have to be Roka, Charlotte Street
Best holiday resort:
South Goa, India – literally any of the beach shacks in Palolem.
Best box set:
Entourage – Simply hilarious.
Best influence on your career:
Chris Kemp, Ingenuity’s CEO – taught me a lot over the years but being open and an honest businessman should always come first. I’ve learnt to consistently innovate, try new things and push everyday. Working at Ingenuity is a blessing. You learn and develop so quickly, you have the opportunity to learn from the
industry’s finest agency and brand minds and all of this wouldn’t be possible without the opportunity from Chris and the passion his business brings me.
Best dinner companions (min 4, max 6):
Sir Alex Ferguson, Idris Elba, Paul Scholes, Antony Bourdain, James Martin and Elon Musk. A mix of class, ego’s, storytellers and people with admirable talent.
Best job in the sports biz:
Commercial Director, Women’s FA or Man Utd’s Manager role, but Ole’s at the wheel.
Best professional regret:
Not getting into the esports market sooner!!
Best skill you most covet:
Having patience. I’m 15 mins early to everything. It has its perks, but some painful characteristics my family and team know (& love), NOT!
Best trait you admire in others:
Ability to adapt quickly. Its innately human to take time to consider change. This year has shown us how quickly we can all adapt, evolve and innovate. Lets do more.
Best overrated virtue:
Working too hard and not having the right balance.
Best ambition:
Other than work. To play golf at some kind of level that I gain respect from my peers. To actually have my wedding day, honeymoon and stag do – in that order. To continue to grow my business and help some leading and new sports and entertainment rights holders secure partnerships after a tough year.