Three speakers for CFLI in Focus 2024 announced
We are pleased to announce the first batch of sport industry professionals who will be speaking at CFLI in Focus: Equipping Leaders for the Future.
Andy Etches, Di Mayze and Roel De Vries will be joining us at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, on Thursday 9th May.
This one-day forum is an opportunity to develop skills, knowledge, and tools to effectively navigate today’s complex and rapidly changing sports business ecosystem. A curated line-up of respected industry speakers from our partners at City Football Group and the wider sports business sector will share cutting-edge knowledge on trending topics such as AI, fan engagement, commercial ventures in sport, and more.
Whether you’re a seasoned executive, an entrepreneur or a manager looking to level up, our thought leadership forum is an opportunity to explore the latest industry trends, develop your professional network, and get a fresh perspectives on key issues that influence the sport industry and wider society.
Tickets are on sale now! Take advantage of our early bird discount which is available until April 11, 2024.
Andy Etches
Co-Founder & Director at Rezzil
Andy is the co-founder and sports director of Rezzil, a leading VR training and cognitive development tool for elite football, installed in many top-tier football clubs. He has worked in sport for over ten years, doing a wide range of data, analysis and performance roles. Andy’s career and knowledge took a real boost whilst working with Manchester City under Pellegrini’s title win in 2014.
Di Mayze
Global Head of Data & AI at WPP
WPP’s resident data geek has over 25 years of technology and data experience across media, FMCG, finance and retail consulting at companies such as Hearst UK, dunnhumby & Walgreens Boots Alliance.
She joined WPP in 2014 as MD of Acceleration (part of Wunderman Thompson) and left in 2017 to become a freelance Data Strategy Consultant. She didn’t go very far away and having consulted for Wavemaker, VML, Geometry, Wunderman Thompson and MediaCom, Di joined the WPP CTO team and became Global Head of Data and AI for WPP in January 2020 setting the data strategy, building data and AI literacy and curating data across WPP.
Di is a creative thinker with proven success in finding new solutions and revenue streams for traditional companies. She is particularly passionate about getting non-analysts excited about the possibilities of data and AI.
Di has an MBA from Cranfield School of Management and is a qualified Project Manager and a Neurolinguistic Programme Practitioner. In 2021 she joined Gartner’s Chief Data Officer Group as a Governing Body member and was delighted to be included in the Data IQ Top 100 data leaders list in 2020, 2021 and 2022. In October 2023 Di was delighted to become a Trustee at football’s leading anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out.
Roel De Vries
Group Chief Operating Officer, City Football Group
Roel is Group Chief Operating Officer at City Football Group and is responsible for the leadership and coordination of club business operations for all ten clubs at City Football Group. He was born and educated in the Netherlands and prior to joining City Football Group, has worked in various global executive positions over the last twenty five years, including Nissan Motor Corporation gaining partnerships with the UEFA Champions league, the Rio Olympics, the International Cricket Board, the NBA in China and most notably a partnership with Usain Bolt.