Professionals and executives on how to forge a career in the sports industry

Many professionals and executives from across the football and wider sports industry have been offering advice on how to get into the sports industry.

The chief executives, company founders and academics were all attending the ‘Secrets of Financial Success as a Football Club Owner’ conference in central Manchester, hosted by our partners, VSI Executive Education.

UCFB were invited to the event, and we spoke to other attendees and spoke to them about their journey so far in the sports industry, including some of our alumni.

We asked them what advice they would give to people wanting to forge a career in the sports industry.

George Delves, chief operations officer at Rochdale AFC, said: “It’s important obviously to upskill yourself as much as possible in terms of formal qualifications.

“But the experience side of things like volunteering and getting networks in place is absolutely vital to make sure you hear about those vacancies before anyone else.”

Joseph Donkor, an MSc Sports Directorship graduate, added: “One of the first things you can do is add to your education, but then it’s about networking, meeting people, being passionate and understanding where you want to land.”

Chief customer officer and co-founder of the CLV Group Jamie Williams said: “Do a lot of listening and research. There are innovation changes and technology changes. I would really be paying attention to trends.”

Fellow co-founder at the CLV Group, Neil Joyce, said: For anyone who has worked in sport or is a fan of sport, passion is a vital ingredient.”