The European Sponsorship Association has appointed Sophie Morris as Course Director of the ESA Sponsorship Diploma, its flagship professional education programme.
Morris, Co-Founder of sponsorship research and measurement business Sponsor View, completed a ten-year term on the ESA Board in June, including three years as Chair. She will lead the Diploma alongside Sponsor View Co-Founder Emanuele Cendron, with the pair appointed as Course Providers following a competitive process.
Morris was in Dublin earlier this year for the annual ESA Ireland event at Croke Park, where she presented the 2026 ESA Sponsorship Trends as part of a morning bringing together brands, agencies and rights holders from across the sector.
The 16th edition of the ESA Sponsorship Diploma begins in January 2027 and is now open for enrolment. The eight-month, part-time online course is designed to develop strategic thinking, measurement and best practice among professionals working across sponsorship.
“Our aim is to cultivate future sponsorship leaders by developing critical thinking, strategic rigour and proactive problem-solving,” said Morris.
She succeeds Peter Raymond, who has led the development of the Diploma into one of the sponsorship industry’s most recognised professional qualifications.
Induction for the 2027 course takes place on January 26 and 27, with enrolment closing on January 21. Early-bird discounts are available until November 27.
Sport for Business Perspective
The Diploma has attracted a strong following among Irish sponsorship professionals, and Morris’s appointment strengthens the connection between ESA’s European education programme and the increasingly active ESA Ireland community.
That community has grown through a regular programme of Dublin events, including this year’s Croke Park gathering and an ESA Awards winners showcase featuring Irish work from Guinness, Cairn and Sky Ireland.
ESA Ireland, The Brand Fans, Teneo, Legacy Communications, Energia, Verve, Core, Tennis Ireland and Horse Racing Ireland are full members of Sport for Business.
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Image Credit: European Sponsorship Association
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