LONDON: Deloitte’s Financial Advisory practice announced plans Monday to invest significantly in its UK Sports Business Group over the next three years.
The practice will continue to grow the Group’s capabilities, recognising a record level of public and private investor activity in the sports sector and broader structural change across the industry.
Tim Bridge will lead the Sports Business Group from June. A qualified chartered accountant, Bridge has built his career in Deloitte’s Manchester office over the past 13 years, working extensively with investors, governing bodies, national associations, clubs and other sports organisations around the globe. Bridge succeeds Dan Jones who will be retiring in May, following almost three decades at Deloitte.
Deloitte’s Sports Business Group in the UK is part of Deloitte’s global network of sports advisory and consulting teams across its practices in the US, Europe, and Asia, working alongside municipal corporations, governing sports bodies, national associations, clubs, and other sports organisations.
The UK group works with clients in over 40 countries across more than 30 different sports to enable transformational change, resolve their most significant challenges, enhance value and fuel opportunities for growth. Its work includes supporting major sports transactions, providing M&A advisory services and enabling organisations to fulfil their maximum potential by offering strategic, commercial, and regulatory advisory services to both the private and public sector.
The development comes close on the heels of Deloitte being announced as a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic partner.
The UK Sports Business Group has also been named as the exclusive sponsor of the Leaders Under 40 Award, part of the Leaders Sports Awards, which recognises industry executives aged under 40 who are pushing the boundaries in sport.
Richard Bell, managing partner for Financial Advisory at Deloitte UK, said: “Following a sustained period of growing professionalisation, digitisation and change across the industry, investors’ interest in the sports market has soared in recent years. Sports bodies, teams and athletes are focussing on growing resilience and sustainability within the industry, while pioneering new digital tools and technologies, creating a unique proposition for many brands and investors. Building the capabilities of our Sports Business Group and expanding the size and impact of the team in the UK will strengthen our position as the first-choice professional services provider in the sports industry.”
Bridge commented: “Deloitte’s Sports Business Group has an exciting period ahead, working with some of the largest stakeholders in sport to drive industry-wide transformation, deliver significant financial results and improve the experience of fans and players, alike.
“Sport has always been a leveller, drawing people together to share experiences on the pitch and in the stands. I’m looking forward to leading Deloitte’s Sports Business Group in the UK, working to create new initiatives that build growth, investment and resilience within the industry while, in turn, improving the experiences of players, fans and our communities.”
Alan Switzer and Paul Rawnsley will be taking up senior director positions in the Sports Business Group. Switzer and Rawnsley collectively have over four decades of experience in the sports business market as part of the team, delivering lead advisory and consulting services to some of the largest stakeholders in global sport.
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