Deloitte Ireland this week announced elite swimmer Daniel Wiffen as its new brand ambassador in the lead-up to the Los Angeles Olympic Games, deepening the firm’s partnership with Team Ireland.
For CEO Harry Goddard, it’s a move that goes beyond medals; it’s about aligning elite performance in the pool with elite performance in the business world.
We sat down with Goddard on the day of the announcement to explore why Wiffen stood out from a field of world-class Irish athletes, and how his scientific approach to performance speaks directly to Deloitte’s people, culture, and ambitions.
Sport for Business: Harry, what drew Deloitte to Daniel Wiffen as your lead ambassador for this Olympic cycle?
Harry Goddard: It was a combination of things, but his deep understanding and application of analytics definitely stood out. That wasn’t the sole factor, but it was a significant one. Just today, Daniel spent over an hour with our data and analytics team, sharing how his background in computer science — which he’s about to graduate in — informs how he trains, recovers, and improves.
That kind of curiosity and insight resonates massively with our people. It mirrors exactly what we do every day with our clients — turning data into performance.
SFB: A lot of athletes talk about using analytics. What’s different about Daniel?
HG: Daniel applies it at a level of depth that’s genuinely impressive. He discusses fluid dynamics, heat dynamics, and friction, as well as the physics and physiology of moving through water.
These aren’t buzzwords; he builds and applies real mathematical models to understand how his body moves and how to improve it.
We discussed AI and its potential applications in assessing his swimming, from analysing video footage of his turns to providing real-time feedback on stroke angles. In the future, AI could even recommend adjustments, not just track what happened. It’s a high-level, cutting-edge application of tech — and very aligned with our work.
SFB: Do you see Deloitte playing a role in helping him refine that data analysis?
HG: Potentially, yes — though sport science is its own world. Daniel’s team at Sport Ireland and Swim Ireland are doing incredible work, and our contribution would be more about perspective and support rather than direct intervention.
That said, the crossover is compelling. We’re always looking at how data can drive real-world results. For Daniel, every hour in the pool matters. If AI and analytics can reduce the number of technical trial-and-error sessions and increase performance-focused training, that’s a big gain.
SFB: How does this partnership tie in with Deloitte’s wider role in the Olympic ecosystem?
HG: Internationally, we’re the IOC’s technology partner, working on everything from cybersecurity to digital fan engagement. Locally, with the OFI, it’s more personal. We bring in athletes to speak with our teams, we support them behind the scenes, and we use our partnership to connect with clients and communities — including giving underrepresented schools access to high-performance facilities.
It’s not about handing over a cheque. It’s about shared values — resilience, discipline, performance — and creating opportunities.
SFB: Is there a talent recruitment dimension to this too?
HG: Definitely. A lot of high-performing graduates today are “academic plus” — they’re excelling in sport or other disciplines outside the classroom. When they see that we support people like Daniel, or staff like Zoe Hyde (currently competing in rowing) and Claire Bergin (a two-time Olympian who qualified as an accountant with us), they see an organisation that understands the whole person, not just the professional.
It sends a clear message: you don’t have to choose between excellence in sport and success in business. We can help you do both.
SFB: Finally, from a personal point of view — you’ve got a background in maths. Does that make this even more meaningful to you?
HG: Absolutely. I joke that Daniel and I are cousins — maths and computer science. Watching someone bring the full weight of scientific thinking into their sport, to push the boundaries of what’s possible, is inspiring.
He’s humble, curious, and deeply analytical. And our people — many of whom share that academic background — can really connect with him. He’s not just a swimmer. He’s a role model for how intellect, ambition, and values can come together to do something special.
As Deloitte deepens its ties to Team Ireland ahead of LA 2028 and beyond, Wiffen is far more than a face on a campaign, he’s a bridge between the boardroom and the starting blocks, powered by data, driven by ambition, and now backed by one of the world’s biggest professional services firms.
You don’t need AI to recognise that is a winning combination.
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