MatchFit expands with new Manchester Office
MatchFit has opened a new Manchester office and appointed key directors to support its continued growth.
The agency’s Northern division will be led by Cherrelle Jefferson, who has joined as Director after six years at Pangolin PR, where she worked on major consumer brand and sports campaigns, including Pepsi’s UEFA Champions League sponsorship.
Jefferson’s founding clients include Norwegian-based football app FotMob, which has engaged MatchFit for UK storytelling projects. She will also lead work with Manchester City, MatchWornShirt, and GB Taekwondo.
Alongside this expansion, Rob Leary has been promoted to Director, leading the agency’s Southern division from its Shoreditch headquarters. He will oversee clients such as The FA, The LTA, Topps, and LiveScore Group. MatchFit’s Co-Founders, Donald Parish and Will Mitchell, continue to guide the agency’s strategic direction.
The agency has also strengthened its senior leadership team with two new Senior Account Directors. Dan Messias has joined from 160over90, where he worked on DP World’s global golf activations, while Sophie Hayward has arrived from Run Communications, where she led campaigns for The National Lottery, Parkrun, and The MCC.
MatchFit now has 18 permanent employees across its offices, with further recruitment underway in Manchester.
Donald Parish, Co-Founder of MatchFit said, “This is a huge moment for MatchFit, and our vision to be the very best sports communications agency in the UK. Central to that strategy is a drive to work with brilliant people across the UK and empower their talent to shine. That’s why I’m incredibly excited to welcome Cherrelle and Rob to our management team, bringing a proven ability to lead world-class work for the best rightsholders and brands in sport.“
As it approaches its fifth anniversary, the agency has been shortlisted for ‘Specialist Agency of the Year’ at the FEVO Sport Industry Awards 2025.
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