Skip to main content

Roundtable debate - women in sport: challenges faced by women in the sports industry and how to overcome them

When: —
Venue: Birkbeck Main Building, Malet Street

Book your place

A Roundtable Discussion as part of the Birkbeck Sport Business Centre Public Seminar Series.

Convened by: The Birkbeck Sport Business Society.

Synopsis

Whilst there are many talented women working in sport right now, breaking down barriers and stereotypes in what has traditionally been a predominantly male-dominated industry have proved difficult to overcome. In this roundtable discussion organised by the Birkbeck Sport Business Society, Birkbeck sport management alumni Gabriella Wright, Kelly Francis and Nicole Allison consider some of the challenges they have faced during their careers in the sports industry, and offer some insights into how to successfully meet these challenges.

Biographies

Nicole Allison: Nicole is currently working for the other half, a specialist sponsorship activation agency, as well as Spurs Ladies in a new commercial role. Nicole graduated from the MSc in Sport Management and Football Business in 2013, with a dissertation focused on ‘fan engagement as a catalyst for growth’ for which she achieved a distinction. Nicole worked alongside clients such as the English Football League, Lucozade and Aviva in Account Management at Kantar Media Sport Intelligence before making the switch to the English Football League as Marketing Research Manager in 2013. At the EFL she was responsible for the conception and implementation of the research and fan data strategy, which centralised the EFL’s data into a single customer view for the first time, which enabled club access through a central platform and enhanced fan communication and fanbase research

Kelly Francis: Kelly graduated from the Birkbeck MSc in Sports Management and the Business of Football in 2008. She then worked as a Financial Regulation Officer at the FA, before taking up the position of Club Secretary at London Wasps rugby union club and Wycombe Wanderers Football Club (English Football League). She is currently Club Secretary at Wycombe, responsible for all Club Secretarial & administrative duties, reporting directly to the Chairman.

Gabriella Wright: Gabriella graduated from the Birkbeck MSc in Sports Management and the Business of Football in 2012.  Since then she has worked in a variety of roles within the football industry, including for The FA, County FA’s and independent agencies.  She is a currently a freelance Football Consultant and licensed FIFA Match agent.  Gabriella specialises in organising and arranging international friendly matches and works directly with clubs and countries brokering sponsorship and commercial investment deals.

The Birkbeck Sport Business Society

The Birkbeck Sport Business Society has been established by postgraduate students from Birkbeck, University of London. By building a strong and extensive alumni network, the society hopes to facilitate opportunities for both current students and recent graduates to break into the business side of sport. Through the organisation of networking events and seminars, we hope to serve as a bridge between students/alumni and the wider industry, to provide our members with exposure to all aspects of the business side of sport, as well as advice and guidance from industry-experts. In providing practical examples to the theoretical knowledge students learn on their courses, the eventual aim is to elevate the industry as a whole, as our members bring informed and fresh perspectives to the business of sport.

Reading

Contact Details

Seminar series details

For further details on this seminar series contact:

Sean Hamil
Department of Management
Birkbeck College
Malet Street
London
WC1E 7HX

Tel: 020 7631 6763

Email: s.hamil@bbk.ac.uk 

Twitter: @Birkbecksport

Contact name: