This week, we will start the publication of the Sport for Business PwC 30 Under 30 for 2025.
Nominations have been flowing in from friends and colleagues of those they believe deserve this recognition.
This is the ninth full year in which we have recognised young talent coming through in and around the business of sport. We have now recognised and celebrated over 250 talented young individuals, many of whom have since risen through the ranks, and some are now CEOs working within the sector.
Ahead of the publication of this year’s cohort, we want to examine several recent ‘alumni’ who have stepped into new roles over the last twelve months.
Gus Lewis 2021
Gus Lewis was a Partnerships Account Manager at the FAI when he appeared on the list in 2021. He was responsible for working with the FAI’s partners to ensure a strong return on their investment in Irish Football and supporting their marketing objectives through proactive planning, strong client engagement, and creative activations.
In July 2024, he was appointed Head of Commercial and Brand at Basketball Ireland.
“His appointment is a critical step as we continue to work towards improving our revenue streams and constructing a new National Basketball Arena – facilitating the growth of basketball at all levels into the future,” said his new CEO John Feehan.
Lilly-Ann O’Hora 2022
Lilly-Ann O’Hora was the Women in Sport Officer for Athletics Ireland when she appeared on the 2022 list.
She went on to take up freelance roles with European and World Athletics before moving to Australia, where she was appointed as Director of Athletics at Sydney University in September 2024.
Mark Loughman 2024
Mark Loughman was an eCRM Executive at the British Olympic Association when he appeared on the 2024 list. He played a key role in reshaping Team GB’s engagement strategy since joining the Association at the end of 2022, all the way through to the Paris Games of last summer.
In February of 2025 he joined Six Nations Rugby as CRM and Marketing Manager where he has responsibility for CRM and app notification strategies to engage fans and support partner campaigns.
Nominations for 2025
So, who do you work with that has shone over the past twelve months and deserves 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.
Criteria
The criteria for submission are that the person should be working within the sports industry or in a sponsorship or agency capacity that brings sport to life and that they should have been born in or after 1995.
You are invited to submit names and a summary of why an individual should be recognised below.
From the start, our ambition 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?
In March, we will start to name the 2025 intake.
In May, we will gather once more in the offices of PwC to meet in person, share experiences and forge connections that will be of real value.
We will also examine additional ways to help those nominated enhance their careers and build strong friendships across the sector.
The Sport for Business Membership comprises over 300 organisations, including all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies.
