See below for the line-up of expert presenters at Edgbaston’s ‘Accelerate’ event. These industry leaders will be sharing in-depth knowledge and real-world advice, helping you understand the skills and strategies you need to succeed in the sports sector.

* Speakers may be subject to change.

9.00 am – 9.30 am

Registration

Doors open for attendee arrival and registration ahead of the opening keynote.

9.30 am – 9.45 am

Launch Your Career in Sport

Harvey Grout, Founder – Careers in Sport

Harvey Grout founded Careers in Sport in 2012 with a vision to create a specialised educational resource dedicated entirely to sport. Since then, it has grown into the UK’s leading platform for sporting careers education and recruitment. In this session, Harvey will share insights from his own career journey, including the challenges he faced breaking into professional football, and the lessons that helped him build a successful career in education and business.

9.45 am – 10.15 am

Career Optioneering and Planning

Andy McGill, Higher Technical Education Manager – CIMSPA

Career planning and “optioneering” is about systematically exploring and selecting a career path that aligns with your skills, values, and long-term goals. Andy will introduce CIMSPA and how the organisation can support you in building a recognised career in the sport and physical activity sector. This session will showcase diverse career paths through real-life case studies, offering practical advice to help you stand out in the job market.

Andy brings over 20 years of experience in education and 18 years of coaching in professional football academies, driven by a passion for guiding young people toward informed career choices.

10.15 am – 11.00 am

Stand Out: Communicate Your Way to Career Success

Scott Field, Director of Communications and Marketing – British Olympic Association

As Director of Communications and Marketing for the British Olympic Association, Scott oversees the BOA’s communication strategies, enhancing brand presence and engagement with key stakeholders, including athletes, media, and the public.

With a career spanning Premier League clubs, The Football Association, and two decades in sports PR and marketing, Scott is a seasoned leader in the sports industry. He will share strategies for effective communication and personal branding to help you stand out in the competitive sports sector.

11.00 am – 11.30 am

Network with Exhibitors and Presenters

Take a break and seize the opportunity to network with presenters and exhibitors. Strengthen your connections, ask key questions, and explore potential career pathways.

11.30 am – 12.15 pm

Developing High-Performance Leaders in the Sports Industry

Piers Martin, Head of Leadership and Workforce Development – Premier League

Piers Martin is a leadership development expert with over 25 years of experience in sports, business, and academia. As the Head of Leadership and Workforce Development for the Premier League, he is responsible for identifying and developing leaders across football. In this session, Piers will draw on his extensive experience advising Olympic and Paralympic sports, National Olympic Committees, and coaching senior leaders to offer insights into building high-performance teams and leadership in the sports industry.

12.15 pm – 1.00 pm

Lunch with Exhibitors and Presenters

Enjoy a lunch break while continuing to network and engage with industry professionals.

1.00 pm – 1.45 pm

Using Sport to Showcase Your Potential: A Case Study from the British Olympic Foundation

Jen Rouse, Managing Director – British Olympic Foundation

The British Olympic Foundation aims to bring the Olympic values to life by creating learning opportunities that improve the wellbeing of young people. Jen will discuss how the Foundation fosters personal growth through sport and leadership initiatives. With over 25 years of experience in sports for development and charity leadership, Jen will provide key insights into how sports can be a powerful tool for both personal and professional development.

1.45 pm – 2.40 pm

Game Plan for Victory: Strategy, Leadership, and Impact

Danny Holdcroft, Performance Advisor – UK Sport

Danny Holdcroft has over 25 years of experience in performance sport, from playing professional football to working as a coach and performance leader. He has been instrumental in driving Olympic success, particularly with British Skeleton’s triple medal victories at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics. Danny will share his journey through elite sport, focusing on how strategy, leadership, and high-performance principles can drive sustained success in sport and business.

2.40 pm – 3.00 pm

Break

Take a short break before the final session.

3.00 pm – 3.45 pm

Q&A: Unlock Your Future – Secrets to Career Advancement

Engage in an interactive Q&A with industry experts where you can ask career-focused questions and gain tailored advice. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals who have successfully navigated their own career paths.

Panellists:

• Jen Rouse, Managing Director – British Olympic Foundation
• Danny Holdcroft, Performance Advisor – UK Sport
• Harvey Grout, Founder – Careers in Sport

3.45 pm

Event Close

Note: Timetable subject to change.

Check out the universities, businesses, and organisations attending the Edgbaston event on 14th February. This is your chance to engage directly with professionals, explore job opportunities, and build connections that could launch your sports career to the next level.

What are you waiting for?

Don’t miss your chance to attend this high-impact event at Edgbaston! Whether you’re looking to expand your career knowledge or make industry connections, this event is the perfect place to get started.

Early Bird Discount – just £35

Buy your ticket by 7th February 2025 to take advantage of our early bird booking discount—just £35 per ticket!

*After this date, the standard ticket price will be £55
** Tickets also available on the door (subject to availability)

Please note: Venue capacity is limited, so early booking is recommended.