Shorts: The British and Irish Lions, Whisper, Ignite

Carol Isherwood has become the first Chair of The British & Irish Lions Women’s Committee and will oversee the Lions Women’s Tour to New Zealand in 2027.

The role will include overseeing preparations for the first-ever Lions Women’s Tour, which has been scheduled for New Zealand in 2027, and joining The British & Irish Lions board.

A founding member and first Chair of the Women’s Rugby Football Union, Isherwood captained both Great Britain and England, earning 15 international caps.

Her coaching experience includes leading England at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1994, as well as roles with England U19s, Henley, and Richmond.

Isherwood was awarded an OBE in 2003 for services to the women’s game and became the first woman appointed to World Rugby’s Rugby Committee in 2009.

In 2014, she was inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

Ieuan Evans MBE, Chair of The British & Irish Lions said, “Supporting the growth of the women’s game is a key strategic priority for the organisation and we are now writing yet more exciting chapters of Lions history, of which Carol becomes a key part following the Royal London feasibility study.“

Whisper has appointed Richard Lancaster as its Chief Technology Officer.

Lancaster, who was previously senior tech lead for Prime Video and NEP, has experience delivering technology for major sporting events including the UEFA Champions League and Wimbledon.

In his new role, Lancaster will drive Whisper’s technical innovation, delivery and strategy.

Sunil Patel, CEO of Whisper, said, “Richard’s appointment as Whisper’s first CTO, will see his skills, experience and network help maintain our restless drive to do the best possible work at the highest levels across sport and entertainment.”

Ignite Sports Management has been named the exclusive commercial agency of the Padel School.

CEO & Founder of Ignite Sports Management, Hugo Jafari, commented, “We are thrilled to announce that Ignite has become the official and exclusive commercial agency for The Padel School. Led by the talented Farquharson brothers – Sandy, the current Padel GB Coach, and Tom, a Junior Wimbledon champion and Top 10 GB Padel player – The Padel School is undoubtedly the powerhouse in the sport.

“Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and its explosive growth is driven by the ease of entry and the immediate enjoyment it offers players. As a result, the sport continues to captivate millions globally.

“With over 500,000 followers across social media channels and a viewership reaching 5 to 10 million each month, The Padel School is the leading English-speaking platform in the sport, engaging an ever-expanding global community.

“As the demand for brand partnerships within the padel world increases, many companies are seeking the right platform to make a lasting impact. The Padel School covers all corners of the sport – from international academies and instructional books to dominating social media and representing the highest level of competition. If you’re a brand looking to align with the best or a media outlet wanting to connect with the leaders in the sport, we’re here to make that happen.

“We are excited for the journey ahead and the incredible opportunities this partnership will bring.”

BOXXER has formed an official apparel partnership with Champion, which will include branding across all pre-promotional events and fight nights.

The collaboration starts with the all-women’s unstoppable world championship event at the Royal Albert Hall on the 7th March.

Champion has developed a co-branded, limited edition apparel collection, which has been made available through BOXXER and Champion retail platforms.

The sold-out event will feature Olympians Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price in an all-British world title unification match.

The agreement will extend to social and digital content production, alongside experiential brand activations.

Ben Shalom, Founder and CEO, BOXXER, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Champion as BOXXER’s Official Apparel Partner. It’s a moment of great pride to see BOXXER working with such an iconic global brand and one steeped in history, and we cannot wait to get started.”

Hallgarten Wines has become the Official Wine Supplier for The Jockey Club in a new four-year sole-supply deal.

The partnership will see Hallgarten Wines provide its premium wine portfolio to all 15 of The Jockey Club’s racecourses across the UK, including prominent events such as the Cheltenham Festival and the Randox Grand National Festival.

This initiative aims to elevate the hospitality offering at Jockey Club racecourses.

Hallgarten Wines also supplies Ascot Racecourse and the Goodwood Estate.

Matt Powell, Head of Partnerships at The Jockey Club, said, “This collaboration is a perfect fit for The Jockey Club, as it supports our commitment to providing exceptional experiences for our racegoers.

“We look forward to working with Howard and the team over the next four years. With their knowledge, experience and longstanding passion for our sport, we will develop an exceptional wine list to enhance our retail and hospitality offering.”