At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top London based President operating in the Sports space. If you think a President is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Steve Murray
Executive Vice President, Strategic Projects of VF
Steve Murray is Executive Vice President, Strategic Projects at VF Corporation. He has more than 30 years of experience in the apparel and footwear industry. In his current role, Steve partners with VF’s Senior Leadership Team and Brand Presidents to drive and deliver integrated strategic projects across brands, functions and the enterprise. Prior to his current role, Steve served as President of the Vans® brand following VF’s acquisition of the brand in 2004, during which time many of the Vans foundational strategies were established and annual revenue for the brand tripled to approximately $1 billion. In 2009, Steve was appointed President of VF’s Action Sports coalition, where he was responsible for overseeing the Vans , Reef and Pro-Tec brands . A British citizen, Steve left VF in 2010, moving back to his native UK, before re-joining the company in April 2018. He has held several leadership roles with iconic youth brands. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Airwair International (Dr. Martens) and was responsible for leading the company’s transformation from a manufacturing-led, family owned entity to a consumer-focused, private equity-backed, global retailer. He also served as Global Brand President, Urban Outfitters and EMEA President for Deckers Brands. Earlier in his career, Steve was the Global Head of Apparel for Reebok International. Steve holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Studies from Middlesex University.
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About VF: VF offers a diverse portfolio of iconic outdoor and activity-based lifestyle and work-wear brands.
Josh Kroenke
President and Governor of Denver Nuggets
Josh Kroenke joined the board of Arsenal Football Club in December 2013. He is also President and Governor of the Denver Nuggets basketball team, where he oversees the day-to-day operations and has helped the team to record one of the most successful six-year spells in the team’s history. He is President of Colorado Avalanche in the NHL and is the Alternate Governor of the Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer team. Josh works closely with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment executives on multiple business operation issues, ranging from finance to marketing. He is a specialist in taking control and extracting resources as quietly as possible.
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About Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets: The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado.
Disa Sanstorn
Senior Vice President Business Development Europe of YgEia3
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About YgEia3: YgEia3 works with corporations developing comprehensive wellness testing for each company.
Sam Yardley
Executive Vice President, North America of Two Circles
Since joining Two Circles, Sam has led a number of projects for professional clubs and governing bodies, both in the UK and increasingly internationally, helping them grow commercial revenue across ticketing, membership, retail and hospitality. Sam has fused his passion for sport with his background as a strategy consultant at Accenture, where he worked with a range of multinational companies, government ministries, and start-ups, and learnt how to make a mean spreadsheet. Sam definitely makes a better fist of watching sport than participating in it. Recent career highlights include the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, the Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, and finally seeing England beat a southern hemisphere side at Twickenham. Just don’t mention the last Ashes tour.
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About Two Circles, Two Circles: Two Circles is a sports marketing agency based in London.