Gemma Uprichard is a Partnership and Sales executive with the Northern Ireland Football League.
A graduate of Ulster University in Applied Science (Marketing) she has made an immediate and measurable impact in elevating both the League’s commercial profile and partnership strategy.
She has played a central role in managing and enhancing relationships with key commercial partners including Sports Direct, BOYLESports, Coca-Cola and Rockshore. Her ability to align partner objectives with the league’s broader growth ambitions has strengthened these relationships while delivering clear and tangible value.
Gemma has contributed to innovative activation campaigns, improved partner visibility across league platforms, and helped position the NI Football League as an increasingly attractive commercial proposition within the Irish sporting landscape. Her work reflects a strong understanding of modern sports marketing and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
She is recognised for her collaborative mindset, strong communication skills and a drive to raise standards across all aspects of the league’s commercial activity. Still early in her career, Gemma has already demonstrated the qualities of a future leader in the sports industry.
So, who do you work with that has shone over the past twelve months or more and is deserving of recognition as they rise through their career?
It could be someone you work alongside, or in another area that you have admired or been impressed by.
Now is your chance to do something special for them. Nominations wil remain open until we hit number 20 of our 30 in the listings, and will reopen again in February 2027.
Criteria
The criteria for submission is that the person should be working within the sports industry, or in a sponsorship or agency capacity that is bringing sport to life, and that they should be born in or after 1996.
You are invited to submit names and a short summary of why an individual deserves to be recognised below.
Our ambition from the start has been to create a network of people making a real difference within our industry.
Who should we be looking to for the next wave of excellence?
Over the coming weeks we will feature a run of interviews with those who have gone before, and we will continue to highlight some of those that have taken on a new role in the past year or two.
Then in June we will gather once more in the offices of PwC to meet in person, share experience and forge connections that will be of real value.
And we will also be looking at additional ways in which we can help those nominated to enhance their career and build strong friendships across the sector, particularly in this the tenth year of the list.
If you, like PwC, would like to be part of the Sport for Business community and see your organisation in our content, on our stages, and in the conversation happening every day around the commercial world of Irish Sport, email us today and let’s see what is possible.
Image Credit: Sport for Business
ABOUT SPORT FOR BUSINESS
Sport for Business is Ireland’s leading platform focused on the commercial, strategic and societal impact of sport. It connects decision-makers across governing bodies, clubs, brands, agencies and public institutions through high-quality content, events and insight. Sport for Business explores how sport drives economic value, participation, inclusion and national identity, and how your story can be part of ours.
Through analysis, storytelling and convening the sector, it helps leaders understand trends, share best practice and make better-informed decisions. Its work positions sport not just as entertainment, but as a vital contributor to Ireland’s social and economic fabric.
