Shorts: John Amaechi, Leicester City, Virgin Bet
Prof. John Amaechi OBE, Founder and Leadership Transformation Expert at APS Intelligence, has launched BoardStars, an evidence-based programme to elevate and illuminate brilliant Black Heritage talent from successful executive careers to the FTSE 250 board rooms.
Supported by Lloyds Banking Group as the founding sponsor and Green Park as the principal Executive search partner, the BoardStars programme builds on APS Intelligence’s proprietary STARs programme which has ‘a proven track record of helping FTSE clients decrease disparities in the promotion of Black and Ethnic Minority colleagues.’
The two-year programme has been developed to help black and ethnic minority talent transition into FTSE 250 Non-Executive positions within two-years of their initial involvement.
The first BoardStars cohort brings together eight experienced FTSE board Chairs, including Sir Robin Budenberg CBE, Chair of Lloyds Banking Group and eight talented and driven C-suite Executives. The programme involves a bespoke leadership inventory, a series of engagement sessions between Chairs and Executives, and coaching sessions with Prof. John Amaechi OBE.
Amaechi was awarded the Integrity & Impact Award in association with InsightX at the FEVO Sport Industry Awards 2024.
Leicester City has initiated legal proceedings against both the Premier League and English Football League (EFL).
This comes after the Championship was charged with breaches of the English top-tier’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) over a three-year period ending in 2022/23.
The EFL placed Leicester under a transfer embargo in light of the charges.
In an official statement, the Championship club confirmed that it would be pursuing ‘urgent’ legal action against both the Premier League and EFL.
The Foxes now face a potential point deduction, which according to Sky Sports could be greater than the ten-point penalty (later reduced to six) that Everton received earlier this season for PSR breaches.
As recently as last week, Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest was the latest club deemed to have fallen foul of the regulations, receiving a four-point deduction with immediate effect.
Leicester says it is seeking ‘an appropriate and fully independent legal panel’ in order to ensure that charges against the club are ‘proportionately’ determined.
Virgin Bet has been announced as the headline sponsor for the Easter Saturday Raceday at Musselburgh Racecourse.
Taking place on 30th March, the event will include the £100,000 Queen’s Cup as well as the Scottish Sprint Cup – the country’s fastest race.
Ric Leask, Marketing Director at Virgin Bet, said, “We are thrilled to announce Virgin Bet as the headline sponsor for Easter Saturday Raceday at Musselburgh Racecourse.
“We are passionate about delivering an unparalleled sports betting experience, and there’s no better way to showcase this commitment than by supporting one of the biggest days of racing in the Scottish calendar.”
Southampton FC has agreed a four-year affiliate partnership with City Select Academy, London.
The deal will see Southampton provide the educational and football-based programme with insights to help develop their programme and player experience.
EFL Championship club Southampton FC is also set to put on two workshops per year alongside webinars to support coach and player development.
Andy Martino, Southampton’s Football Development Manager, commented, “As a club we’re really excited to be entering into a four-year partnership with City Select Academy.
“We have a shared vision to support and develop the students both on and off the pitch to create good people, as well as good footballers.
“This will be achieved through coach education, delivered with a blended learning approach. We’re looking forward to working closely with the students to support their learning, while giving insight into The Southampton Way.“
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