Sports Influencers (SP.IN) has announced KPMG and Hill Dickinson as sponsors of its second panel discussion.
The event will debate the role of women in sport and business and take place on Monday, January 29 at KPMG offices in St Peter’s Square Manchester.
The all-female Northern Powerhouse-focused panel discussion will include the thoughts of Hill Dickinson Head of Commercial Litigation Geraldine Ryan.
According to a survey by Women in Sport, the number of women getting top jobs at UK sporting bodies is down by 6% since 2014, with half of the 68 Sport England and UK Sport-funded national governing bodies having fewer than 30% of non-executive director roles filled by women.
KPMG’s Manchester Office Senior Partner, Nicola Quayle, said: “We are delighted to lend our support to the Sports Influencers team and celebrate the many accomplished women making huge strides in sport both on and off the field.
“It really is time to come together to discuss how women can continue to thrive in the industry and look at the role we are more than equipped to play as business leaders across the region. Sport is a vehicle for social change and a wonderful opportunity to bring together women, and also men, on a path to greater inclusivity within the sector.”
Geraldine added: “It’s been great to see women from the North West blazing a trail both on a regional and national scale. Just look at the ambition of Amanda Staveley to bid for a club as iconic as Newcastle FC a few weeks ago, or the achievements of Man City Women in the FA Women’s Super League, a division with nearly half of teams coming from the north.
“The sports agenda contributes so much day-to-day conversation, so I’m looking forward to sharing my insights at the SP.IN event in January.”
The panel will also include GreaterSport Chief Executive Yvonne Harrison, with other influential figures from the world of sport to be revealed in coming weeks. It will be hosted by Sky Sports presenter, Hayley McQueen and BBC Radio Manchester Head of Sport, Sarah Collins.
The not-for-profit outfit has been developed by former Manchester United relationship director Luisa d’Aprano and Managing Director of Podium Group and former chief executive of British Fencing, Piers Martin.
The pair, with support from partners including Manchester City Council, public relations agency Roland Dransfield, and creative agency, HT+E, aim to ensure that sport becomes a credible and meaningful element to the Northern Powerhouse debate.
Luisa said planning for a programme of SP.IN events in the new year was well underway already, with a further two events planned for 2018.
She said: “We are delighted that leaders such as KPMG’s Nicola Quayle, has agreed to partner with us in hosting this event in their Manchester offices, and that Geraldine Ryan and Yvonne Harrison will be sharing their unique insights into their experiences of working in sports leadership roles.
“They are all trailblazers in their own industries, so we expect it to be both an engaging and meaningful discussion. So many of today’s athletes and sportspeople have the right skills for many businesses today.
“We look forward to announcing more speakers in the new year and announcing additional events which will be just as compelling as this one.”
