Andy Challis Email & Phone Number

Woking, England, United Kingdom

Woking Gymnastics Club is one of the largest Gymnastics Clubs in the country – delivering pre-school to elite gymnastics to over 1,000 members, together with a broad community programme.Recruited to lead the Club, as an Incorporated Charity, and to develop and deliver the strategy for secure growth and development, with a focus on customer service, facility development and future Club relocation.Responsible for strategy, governance and representation as well as ensuring all legal and statutory compliance – all operating within the Clubs values framework as we strive for excellence in all aspects of our organisation.

East Sussex

Gilbert is the market leader in performance rugby balls and equipment products for Rugby Union.Recruited to ensure that Gilbert maintained No. 1 brand position in Rugby, I have responsibility for brand P & L and all marketing / commercial strategy.Selected achievements• Delivered against annual financial targets and maintained margin by taking management responsibility for brand P & L.• Re-focused the sales and marketing efforts to direct market routes with launch of new e-commerce platform and the relaunch of team wear.• Ensured viable product in each market, managed a large network of international distributors and created consistent brand messaging.• Oversaw brand protection and ensured constant innovation by directing product development across the brand range.• Worked with IOC to secure brand exposure via Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic games, having previously negotiated commercial rights for the World Rugby seven’s series over an extended period.• Secured exclusive Rugby World Cup (RWC) supply and licensing rights for four consecutive events via partnership negotiations with World Rugby, enabling long term sales and planning.• Built relationships throughout the global rugby landscape having negotiated contracts with all top 20 nations and tournaments including the 6 Nations, Premiership Rugby, Pro 14 and Super Rugby.• Promoted product innovation, and sales, through hosting international media launches in Auckland, London and Tokyo with coordinated output of broadcast and digital content.• Successfully avoided a crisis event at RWC 2011 by managing media communications and relationships.• Ran the brand campaign for RWC 2019, which was rated as “exceptional” by Marketing Week and helped to secure licensed product sales significantly in excess of target.

London, England, United Kingdom

An international sports marketing agency, Fast Track worked with major brands and Governing Bodies to develop and implement strategies that drive business through sport.Initially joined as Account Director and promoted to Business Director after 4 years. With expertise in sports marketing and sports development I took the lead on a broad portfolio of important client relationships.Role highlights• Managed all sponsorship relationships for UK Athletics with their corporate stakeholder partners, developing lasting relationships which helped to maintain and grow annual revenue.• Secured Visa as presenting sponsor for the UK School Games, on behalf of the Youth Sports Trust, and led agency relationship in the delivery of a new event commercial programme.• Led the commercial programme of the inaugural Paralympic World Cup, engaging Visa as title sponsor, and oversaw delivery of corporate stakeholder rights.• Secured Lottery Fund brand exposure throughout all broadcast content having negotiated a comprehensive package of rights with Manchester Commonwealth Games 2002.• Formulated strategy for and administered the Athlete Engagement Programme for London 2012 Olympic bid whilst seconded to them, assisting with marketing and partner acquisition.• To support the raising of VC funding for Aqua Pura water, I raised the brand profile by negotiating and then managing the partnership with Jaguar Racing Formula 1.• Won European Sponsorship Association award for Best Sponsorship activation having led marketing activation on behalf of Volvo Car (UK) within Sailing and Golf.• Event managed international match racing regatta at the Laureus World Sports Awards, Monaco.

Weybridge, Surrey

A boutique agency specialising in the creation of sports events and sponsorship consultancy.Hired due to my experience in professional sport, this role enabled me to make the transition into marketing and to take the lead across the agency’s project portfolio.Deliverables• To raise the profile of a new Golf and Hotel resort near Lisbon, led on all event logistics, talent liaison, local partner acquisition and coordinated broadcast output with Tour productions.• Sold international broadcast rights for Icelandic Off-Road Motorsport to free to air television and aligned with a new commercial model.• Led the business development for a range of bespoke televised events acquiring partners across a broad scope of industry sectors.

London, England, United Kingdom

A professional rugby union club playing in the Premiership, the highest level of English club rugby.As a former Club player, I was hired due to the strength of existing internal relationships and, in being a dual role, I was also able to use my in-depth knowledge of community rugby development to commercial advantage.Achievements• Finalised the desired composition of the playing squad, negotiated with players and their agents to secure employment contracts.• Created a supportive performance framework for the 30 strong, high profile playing squad by managing their transition to professional status and ensuring delivery of obligations to corporate partners.• Integrated and delivered commercial opportunities for Club sponsors into a community outreach strategy designed to promote the Club to the wider regional rugby audience.

London, England, United Kingdom

The Rugby Football Union is the governing body for Rugby Union with jurisdiction throughout England.Having achieved selection for England at age group level I was retained due to my understanding of the game and previous experience across the sporting landscape.Role highlights• Wrote the initial blue print for community rugby development via Clubs, Schools and local government having first researched, developed and piloted a recommended strategy for rugby development.• With a passion for sports development, lectured at School of Human Movement (University of Brighton) and at Brunel University alongside tutoring courses for the National Coaching Foundation.• Mentored trainee rugby coaches through the RFU coaching award scheme, as lead course tutor set course content with responsibility for competence assessment prior to award.

Nottingham, England, United Kingdom

An elected sabbatical position over a fixed term working for the University student’s union administering and coordinating activity across all areas of participation and competitive student sport.Deliverables• Management responsibility for all university sports clubs, setting competition regulations at national level and representing student interests at University Council.• Directed team of honorary sport secretaries and ensured effective coordination of intramural sport activities

Bsc(Hons), Botany

Education record