I’m not too sure where this year has gone. January feels like only yesterday. It’s certainly been varied, as you can see….
Advisory Work: I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with the team at Twenty First Group this year in my ongoing advisory role. I’ve also been doing a lot of work with McLaren Racing in Woking. Watch this space for news from both in 2025.
It’s also been a pleasure to join the the Expert Council for Metro Bank Girls in Cricket Fund, a project close to my heart. I’ve also been advising on two ongoing private equity projects. Until I can say any more, here is the quickest Formula 1 car on track in 2024!
Documentary Time: Always like to have a creative project on the go! I’ve had some really nice feedback on the London 1948 documentary I collaborated on with Channel 5 before the Olympic Games. There’s still time to watch it here.
Separately there’s also a Netflix documentary in the can which will be released early next year, bringing the story of global sport right up to the current day.
Paris 2024: On the subject of the Olympics, the Olympic and Paralympic Games bring the hard work of UK Sports Institute to life in a very tangible way. My Board role has been chiefly focused on strategy planning for the LA cycle – of which more soon.
Other People’s Money: This year I launched ”Other People’s Money’ – a podcast series looking at investment in sport – with the Unofficial Partner team. The aim is very simply to take a dispassionate look at this area, and hopefully educate the industry a little as the money continues to flow in. Plenty to discuss and debate in 2025…you can catch up on 2024 here.
UK Sport Major Events Panel: The year hasn’t finished for the UK Sport Major Events Panel – quite the opposite, with the World Cup Boxing Finals finishing the year in Sheffield. We’ve launched a new UK Sport Major Events Framework this year as our strategy evolves, and have a bumper 2025 ahead – the Women’s Rugby World Cup, World Boxing Championships and European Eventing Championships to name just a few. Do you have your tickets yet?!
It’s been a varied, at-times challenging but most of all hugely rewarding 2024 so far. Here’s to 2025.
