BEST PROFESSIONAL SERVICE BUSINESS SERVING FOOTBALL 2019
Coutts
For over 320 years we have looked after the financial affairs of wealthy individuals from a variety of backgrounds and occupations. Our clients include entrepreneurs, leaders of industry, city professionals, talent from the fields of media, creative arts and entertainment industries and, of course, sports. Our clients appreciate dealing with experts in their field who understand them and the challenges they face.
We have a reputation for being innovative and in 1999 we established our Sports & Entertainment team to cater for an industry that was growing in terms of wealth generation, media interest and TV rights. The need for specialist and experienced advisers was clear to guide sports stars from across the world of sport with the many unique challenges they face. Wealth can be accumulated quickly and at an early age, income can be irregular and can be disrupted by injury. Our ambition is to help guide our clients throughout their careers and beyond.
KPMG Football Benchmark
The KPMG Football Benchmark team is part KPMG’s global Sport Advisory Practice, which delivers value to stakeholders who make critical decisions in the sports sector all over the world.
The KPMG Football Benchmark is a unique business intelligence tool providing in-depth and interactive analysis of financial and performance data of football clubs and players. Running on the dynamic KPMG Football Benchmark platform, it enables analyses and comparisons in three areas: club finance & operations – providing a consolidated database of the financial and operational performance of over 200 football clubs; player valuation – estimating the market value of over 4,700 football players; social media analytics – tracking the social media activity of 500+ football clubs and 2,000+ footballers in Europe and South-America. By accessing the platform on a subscription basis, industry stakeholders can benefit directly from the database while making insightful decisions. In addition, the tool provides unique intelligence that support KPMG’s Football Benchmark team in delivering professional services to a global clientele – these services include:
- Club valuation & transaction support
- Strategy & business planning
- Venue feasibility & conceptualization
- Operating review and cost optimization
- Event bidding and planning
- Organizational and governance development
KSS
KSS are the largest UK architectural practice specialising in sport in the top 40 of the Architects Journals AJ100, with 100+ staff in London and Sevenoaks.
They are recognised as a leading professional service in football and focus on stadia and elite training centres.
KSS work with clients to create venues of high quality and intense sporting and spectator experiences. They assist clients in growing their business, driving increased revenue and developing their brand. KSS provide a full range of sports design consultancy services in master planning, architecture, interior design, graphic design, branding and wayfinding.
KSS’ sports team leaders have over 28 years of experience in stadium and training centre design and are proud to have worked globally in this field.
Key highlights are Coimbra Stadium in Portugal, Stade Océane in France, Sammy Ofer Stadium in Israel, The Amex Community Stadium for Brighton & Hove Albion FC, Anfield Stadium and new Training Facilities for Liverpool FC, Selhurst Park redevelopment for Crystal Palace FC and a new Training Centre for Leicester City FC.
Mishcon de Reya (Sports Group)
Mishcon de Reya’s multi-disciplinary Sports Group comprises a dedicated team of 14 contentious and non-contentious lawyers who are passionate about sport. The Group is supported by experts across the wider firm who have significant sports experience in areas such as immigration, employment, intellectual property, brand protection, reputation management and tax. The team is diverse and international in make-up and outlook. We act for clients from around the world and are fluent in a number of foreign languages including: Mandarin, French, Spanish and Italian.
We feel we make a strong contribution to the football industry from a professional services perspective, providing excellent legal support to our clients, but also recognising our ability to provide wider support to the areas of the football industry that benefit from pro bono advice and charitable backing.
Oaks Consultancy
Here at Oaks, we help sports organisations raise their game. Formed back in 2008 – with roots in the business of sport – our journey over the last twelve months has seen us work with organisations of all shapes and sizes in and around football. We are income generation specialists, supporting organisations in football and the wider sports sector to run more profitable and sustainable businesses using our strategy, business planning and fundraising tools: ultimately empowering socially-minded football organisations to expand their work, support more vulnerable people, and ultimately change lives across the UK.
Onside Law
Onside Law is a niche law firm specialising in sport and football in particular. Despite being a boutique firm, it continues to advise on the biggest deals in football acting for many of the game’s iconic names. Highlights during the last 12 months include advising Eden Hazard on his transfer to Real Madrid, advising AC Milan on its kit deal with PUMA, BT and EE on their partnership with England and Wembley, acting on UEFA’s appointment of Visa as its first-ever sponsor dedicated to women’s football (covering Women’s EURO 2021 and the UEFA Women’s Champions League), advising Leeds United on “Spygate”, and winning the likes of FIFA, Crystal Palace and Jadon Sancho as new clients
Pro-Football Academy
Pro-Football Academy are the fastest growing and No 1 private football academy in the UK.
Having already expanded the business from 1 venue in the North-West of England to over 32 now throughout the UK, we have further plans to expand to 53 by the end of 2019, at 75 by the end of 2020 and 150 venues by end of the new 3yr business plan in 2021.
PFA have a strong community and social ethic, focusing hard on getting children out of the house, creating a fun community environment and ensuring health and diet is a key focus.
No other professional coaching & training business is growing as rapidly as we are and our plans to provide the ultimate football coaching experience means we are the one to watch in 2019/2020!
Verisona Law
Verisona Law continues to be sought after by both Football Clubs and Fan Supporter Groups across the UK for the expertise and experience it has gained since its saving of Portsmouth Football Club from liquidation six years ago. In the past year, the firm has worked on a variety of cases ranging from consultancy for a high-profile ownership bid for Bolton Wanderers FC to representation for individual players on matters of liability.
Verisona Law’s specialist knowledge of Football Club structure, it’s relationships within the industry and proven ability to work with the various stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, has proved a valuable combination which achieves successful outcomes in complex, challenging an often unique situations.
Led by Director Mike Dyer, Head of Verisona Law’s Corporate and Commercial department, the firm’s ‘Football & Sports Team’ regularly undertakes advisory work in cases of insolvency and employment across the full spectrum of leagues.
