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About Us

Through its unrivalled knowledge in the Sports Sector, Nolan Partners understands that sport often requires in its Executives a particular blend of skills and experience.

Commercially it is undoubtedly one of the fastest growing sectors and our experience in finding talented Executives from both inside and outside this market place is unique.

We also know that Sports Organisations are often complex and the ability to navigate the multi-stakeholder environment can often be a key determinant of success.

The firm was founded by Paul Nolan, who for over 6 years was the Group HR Director of The Football Association, the UK’s largest sports governing body. Paul’s background is as follows:

  • During his time at The FA he worked with the Board, Chairman and Chief Executives to build leadership teams, handling every senior executive and non-executive appointment.

  • Also during this time, he developed extensive links with all of the other leading governing bodies in sport as well as relationships and contacts within the media, political, corporate and financial worlds connected to sport.

  • 20 years HR management experience, primarily in aero-engines and food businesses including two years as HR Director on the retail board of Express Dairies whilst they were a FTSE 250 business.

  • He is regularly invited to speak at conferences and contribute to articles on the subject of people management challenges in sport.

Stewart Rogers is the Chairman of the firm, and brings not only direct experience of providing Executive Search and HR advisory services to sports businesses but also significant experience of developing and growing an Executive search firm, having been the COO of one of the UK’s leading search firms. His background is as follows:

  • 30 years experience in the HR advisory field – in his early career he was HR Director of one of the operating companies within Grand Metropolitan (now Diageo), followed by 20 years in consultancy services.

  • From 1986 -1992 he was a Director of Hay Management Consultants, the world’s largest HR advisory services consultancy after which he set up his own Search and advisory firm. He has handled assignments in the UK; Europe; USA and Asia Pacific.

  • In 1997 he co-led the buy-out of Odgers Executive Search and became its COO for 2 years, followed by a further 2 years as a Non Executive Director. He was a major shareholder until the business was sold in December 2005.

  • He was the retained adviser to The FA on senior appointments and Executive remuneration before joining Nolan Partners in 2006, through which this service continued.

  • He is currently Non Executive Chairman of two other recruitment firms.

Michael Broughton is a Consultant at Nolan Partners, joining after six years working in the sport industry primarily on sponsorship and activation.  His background is as follows:

  • He has a depth of knowledge in Social Responsibility issues and led the development of a CSR campaign on behalf of Johnnie Walker as part of their partnership with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team.
  • For three years he managed Lucky Strike’s F1 communications across the South and Latin American regions.  In this capacity he oversaw events, PR and Grand Prix activity bringing a new level of visibility to the iconic brand in key markets.
  • Amongst the other brands he has worked on are PlayStation 2, British Superbikes and the British Grand Prix and spent time at Comperio where he worked on sponsorship evaluation of major events including The Wimbledon Championships and The British Open.
  • Before joining Nolan Partners he was also the Managing Director of Easthorpe Investments Ltd an export company with strong relationships with China.