Businesses can seize opportunities in sport - president
The business of sport can unleash a wealth of opportunities for Greater Birmingham businesses.
That’s the view of trailblazing former football referee and Greater Birmingham Global Chamber of Commerce president Janie Frampton.
Speaking during a forthcoming episode of the Chamber’s CEO Stories podcast, Janie told CEO and host Henrietta Brealey that she wants to help businesses become “more savvy” about the economic potential of sport.
Janie, the co-founder of TeamYou, was only the second woman to officiate a men’s professional football game in England and went on to referee a number of prestige games and tournaments.
Since retiring from refereeing she has worked with global sports governing bodies on leadership and development programmes.
During the episode of CEO Stories, which will be released on Monday 3 February, Janie discusses rubbing shoulders with the likes of Portuguese football legend Eusebio and Olympic champion turned sports executive Lord Sebastian Coe.
Janie, who first became involved with the Global Chamber’s forerunner, the Commonwealth Chamber, in the build-up to the 2022 Commonwealth Games, said: “I knew enough about international sport and the business it brings.
“I just wanted to open people's eyes within the Chamber and the region how important that was - and then I just got hooked.
“I don't think people quite realise how big the business of sport is and I think we need to be a little bit more savvy about how much is in it.
“There is opportunity within the supply chain because it's everything from sporting equipment through to marketing, PR, IT, training, security - every area of business.”
CEO Stories is a monthly podcast that delves into the careers of some of the region’s leading and up-and-coming business leaders.
Previous guests include former NEC Group boss Paul Thandi, ex-Birmingham City Council CEO Deborah Cadman and Aston University vice-chancellor Professor Aleks Subic.
- Hear the full CEO Stories interview with Janie Frampton on all major podcast apps from Monday 3 February.
Pictured: Henrietta Brealey and Janie Frampton
