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 COO’ operating in the Sports space. If you think a COO’ 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.
Chris Stylianou
Chief Operating Officer of Sky UK
Chris Stylianou was appointed Chief Operating Officer, UK and Ireland, in March 2016, expanding his previous role – Managing Director of Sky’s Customer Service Group – which he has held since August 2011. He is responsible for Sky’s sales and service operations (including our contact centres, digital capability, in-home service and retail division), as well as our property and data departments, Sky Business and OTT services in Europe. Chris was previously joint Deputy Managing Director, Customer Group, and before that Deputy CFO. He joined Sky in January 1996 from KPMG where he was a senior manager in the Media practice.
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About Sky UK: Sky is an entertainment company, serving 22 million customers across satellite, OTT, and broadband in five countries.
Archie Woodhead
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of InCrowd Sports
Archie Woodhead is a Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at InCrowd Sports.
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About InCrowd Sports: Incrowd builds sponsorship activation platforms to give fans an in-stadia experience.
Alexi Yovanoff
Co-Founder & COO of SportsIcon
Alexi Yovanoff is the Co-Founder & COO of SportsIcon.
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About SportsIcon: SportsIcon lets users connect with sportspeople through NFT’s and masterclasses.
André Flórido da Costa
Co-founder and COO of Betmarkets
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About Betmarkets: Betmarkets is a web platform that allows bettors to invest in sports betting.
Steven Burton
Chief Operating Officer of Genius Sports
Steven Burton is the Chief Operating Officer of Genius Sports.
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About Genius Sports: Genius Sports is the official data, technology and commercial partner that powers the global ecosystem connecting sports, betting and media.
Hugo Cortez
COO of MyLADS
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About MyLADS: MyLADS works Augmented Reality (AR) content for the fans.
Michael Harrison
Co-Founder & COO of Gravity Fitness
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About Gravity Fitness: GraVity, a trampoline park company
Jonathan Neale
COO of McLaren Group
Graduating from Nottingham University in 1984 with an honours degree in physics, Jonathan Neale began a lengthy career in the commercial and defence aerospace industry. Beginning at Philips Defence Systems, he became a chartered electrical and electronic engineer and went on to lead the advanced development group within the electronic warfare division. He moved to BAE systems in 1991, working as a project design engineer leading major systems projects for commercial aircraft. Promoted through the company, he became director of operations and support operations at the Manchester and Prestwick Sites and was responsible for aircraft production, customer support and training. He returned to defence systems and aircraft, taking charge of the Hawk Fast Jet Programme as managing director 1999. He gained his MBA during the 1990s and participated in the government cabinet office’s prestigious Top Management Programme working with public and private sector colleagues. Jonathan joined McLaren Racing as operations director in 2001 to oversee the race team’s operations and engineering processes. He was appointed the company’s managing director in 2004, and Chief Operating Officer and acting CEO in 2014. Jonathan is currently a fellow of the Institute of Directors and occupies a principal role within the organisation, managing overall technical and operational strategy for the whole team.
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About McLaren Group, McLaren Racing: McLaren Group is an automotive, motorsport, and technology company that manufactures sports cars.
Rodney Johnson
COO & Co-founder of Vensy
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About Vensy: Vensy is a sports marketing platform that provides a simple way for brands to discover the best athletes to sponsor.
