Best Startup
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 United Kingdom 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.
Matthew Baxter
President of Dugout
Matthew Baxter joined Dugout in November 2016 leading the commercial team and working directly with the clubs and other partners on the platform. Prior to Dugout Matthew was Chief Media Officer with Liverpool FC and was responsible for the complete transformation of the club’s digital media and TV operations and well as being part of the Executive team overseeing the overall strategy of the club. Matthew has over 20 years of global digital, media and TV experience. Prior to joining Liverpool FC he was Senior Vice President at MGM Networks where he worked across the commercial spectrum, selling movies to platforms and broadcasters in over 120 countries in 25 languages. He worked on various movie franchise launches globally including some of the recent James Bond movies. Matthew also worked as European Marketing Director at Warner Brothers International Television working on a multitude of TV and movie property launches from Harry Potter movies and a multitude of TV series. In addition, he was part of the Fox Kids launch team driving the platform sales, distribution, development and growth of the channel to all countries across Europe.
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About Dugout: Dugout is an innovative new digital football platform.
George Kazianis
Co-Founder & President of BlocSide Sports
George is the Co-Founder and President of BlocSide and the Only4Stars International Sports and Entertainment Corporation (I.S.E.C). He was a licensed FIFA player agent and official agent for the Hellenic Football Federation. Over his 30 years in the football industry, he has built up a client list of elite youth and well-established players. Furthermore, George is renowned and widely recognized by major football clubs, such as AFC Ajax, FC Internationale Milano, and Bayer 04 Leverkusen, for his scouting prowess, youth camps, emphasis on developing young talent, and professionalism. He also has managed to acquire the exclusive rights to start building the Ajax brand name in Southern Europe, starting with Greece and Cyprus. Previously, George was the owner of AllStar Sports Consultancy, a Players & Match Agency in Athens, Greece.
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About BlocSide Sports: BlocSide Sports is creating a digital platform that leverages frictionless payments, mobile ticketing and blockchain technology.
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.
Peter George
Chairman & President of Enigma Holding Group
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About Enigma Holding Group: Enigma is an investment company that focuses on the areas of health and wellbeing, sport, learning, community programs, and social housing.
