Haworth nets key job with Warrior Sports
BEN Haworth has left his role as head of sport at Manchester law firm JMW and has landed a key job with a US sportswear brand.
Mr Haworth, a former professional footballer, who joined JMW three years ago, said his move to Warrior Sports – which has signed a record breaking £25m a year deal to supply Liverpool FC’s kit from the 2012-13 season – was “too good to miss”.
He said: “I have left JMW on the best of terms, the firm always backed me 100% and in some ways I was sad to leave, but the opportunity with Warrior is fantastic and gets me close to players, brands and clubs – which is where I can really add value – and is really exciting.”
He begins his role as global head of sports marketing from next month. The UK base of Warrior, which is part of New Balance, is in Wilmslow.
“The plan is to grow our football business in Europe so I’ll be spending time in France and Spain and looking to develop the brand there too,” the 44-year-old former Leeds United, Sheffield United and Bolton player added.
He said that his departure from JMW was not the end of the firm’s commitment to sports law: “We worked hard to establish the sports department and the firm represents 19 professional footballers and five England international cricketers.”
“There is also Total Sports – the venture with BDO, Lockton and GVA Robson, which is a positive step.”
Senior partner Joy Kingsley said Haworth had left the firm by agreement in May, adding: “We wish Ben all the best in his new role. JMW remains committed to sports works and only this week we were instructed by three new players.
“We have formed a relationship with a financial services company who act on behalf of 100 footballers and we remain involved and committed to the Total Sports initiative with Lockton, BDO and GVA Robson Sport.
“Sports work is only a limited part of the JMW offering and having grown income by 25% between 2009 and 2010 from £8m to £11m , we managed to retain that increase and in fact grow further in the year 2010/2011.
“We expect further growth this year due both to the significant number of lateral hires over the last 12 months.”
