Industries 1998) is CEO of
Leaders, an events business
responsible for organising the
annual Leaders in Football
conference, which brings
together the most high-profile
names in sport from all over
the world.
three-and-a-half years I've gone
from running the business out
of my spare room to this" said
James. "We literally created
something out of nothing and
now it's this product that people
really value."
a salesman for American
pharmaceutical company Elli Lily,
but his passion for football drove
him to try and make it his career
and he decided to try his hand as
a football agent. However after
working in the role he decided that
the reality wasn't quite living up to
his expectations and when a friend
the new Football Industries MBA
at the University of Liverpool he
jumped at the chance.
it; I thought it would be a great
opportunity to take some time out
to follow my passion and work out
what I wanted to do. We were the
first cohort of students on the MBA
and I met some fantastic people, all
with the same shared passion for
sport, and I made some superb
contacts in the industry that have
really stood me in good stead
throughout my career."
having previously worked as a
commercial manager for British
investment company Enic, as
marketing manager for the English
Football Association, as a touring
lecturer alongside his former
University of Liverpool tutor
Rogan Taylor, and then latterly for
rival conference Soccerex, which
gave him the inspiration to establish
his own convention.
in Football simply because that was
who he wanted to attract, both in
terms of speakers and delegates.
who is more focused on other
people's needs than their own;
someone with a clear set of values
who is a great communicator and
is consistent in their approach."
only the most important leaders in
the industry has helped the event
to thrive, and it is now widely
considered to be one of the most
important football business
conferences in the world.
making as much money as
possible and understand that the
important thing is to be passionate
about what you do and to love
what you do. You don't have to be
cut-throat and aggressive to be
successful. Be nice to people,
work hard and take pride in what
you do. If your product's good you
won't go far wrong."