Soccerex returns to Manchester

THE business of football will be under the spotlight as the Soccerex European Forum returns to Manchester this week.

The two-day convention and exhibition at Manchester Central will feature speakers from clubs, leagues, brands and sponsors.

Among those attending are David Gill, Manchester United’s chief executive; Ian Ayre, commercial director at Liverpool FC; Peter Ridsdale, former Leeds and Cardiff chairman; and Robert Elstone, chief executive at Everton FC.

Subjects under discussion include financial regulation, the commercial challenges of both large and small clubs, sponsorship and Olympic football.

Other key business names include Peter Kenyon, the former Manchester United and Chelsea chief executive who now works for the LA-based sports and entertainment talent agent the Creative Artists Agency, and Dan Jones, a partner in the sports business group at accountancy firm Deloitte in Manchester.

He said: “The North West has a proud position in both the historical development and current success of English football, and the clubs make a major contribution to the region’s economy and its promotion on a global scale.  

“The North West’s top 20 clubs generate over £900m of revenue, which is around 35% of the total annual revenues of all Premier League and Football League clubs.”