Join a global network of 800+ Dip ESA graduates leading sponsorship programmes at world-class brands, agencies and rights holders
Featured graduate case studies: where are they now?
Michael Higham
Director, Global Partnerships, AEG
“I found the ESA Sponsorship Diploma highly engaging and useful to develop my skills further… I would 100% recommend the course to anyone in the industry, especially those at the beginning of their careers.”
What role were you in when you started the ESA Diploma?
Partner Services Manager, Arsenal FC.
What role are you in now, and how has your career advanced since graduating?
Director of Global Partnerships at AEG – previously Head of Sponsorships at the Europa League champions, Sevilla FC. Although I took part in the ESA Diploma with four years’ sponsorship experience already under my belt, I still found the course highly engaging and useful to develop my sponsorship skills further.
What skills and networks did you develop through the ESA Diploma?
It taught some fundamental basics when it comes to sponsorship planning and helped me get a better understanding of sponsorship ideas from other sports outside football. Taking the course also got me interested in teaching myself, and since graduating I have taught on sponsorship for a diploma in Brussels and I am lined up to do some teaching on the ESA Diploma’s tenth anniversary course next year. I also helped with marking for the most recent academic year on the ESA Course, which I really enjoyed.
What major changes or innovations are you seeing in the sponsorship industry, and how are you adapting to these changes in your current job?
It has been highlighted by many people right now, but the sports industry is now more focused than ever on digital engagement and rights holders need to be solely focused on how to engage with their consumers. Rights holders need to be more than flexible ever with brands and need to understand the sponsorship industry is changing like never before. Building rights packages around strictly TV exposure and corporate hospitality was out of touch five years ago, yet I am still seeing packages like this in 2020, which is crazy. Rights holders need to adapt to how to engage with the younger generation of consumers or they will be left behind.
Would you recommend the ESA Diploma to those looking to advance their career in sponsorship?
100 per cent, I would recommend to anyone in the industry especially those at the beginning of their careers.
Luke Wilson
Chief Commercial Officer , Millwall FC
“The Diploma gives such a thorough and broad overview of the whole industry. It’s also a great way to meet a broad cross-section of fellow professionals as agencies, brands and rights holders all take part, so I developed great contacts I am still in touch with today.”
What role were you in when you started the ESA Diploma?
Senior Partner Services Executive, Arsenal FC.
What role are you in now, and how has your career advanced since graduating?
I am currently Chief Commercial Officer at Millwall FC where I lead the strategic direction and daily operations of, the Club’s Partnerships, Marketing, Hospitality, Ticketing and Retail teams. After graduating the ESA Diploma, I moved on to roles at Fuse, and TEAM Marketing in Switzerland, where I worked on Champions League Partnerships with brands like Pepsi, Santander, PlayStation and Nissan. I also spent time at Pitch Marketing Group working on activation strategies for brands like Gallagher, Tag Heuer, Cinch and Pokémon. I also spent two years working for the UK Government, helping to professionalise sponsorship sales and delivery across a number of Departments both domestically and Internationally.
What skills and networks did you develop through the ESA Diploma?
As the Diploma gives such a thorough and broad overview of the whole industry, it was really good for gaining a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the areas I had less experience in at the time. It was also a great way to meet a broad cross-section of fellow professionals, as agencies, brands and rights holders all take part, so I developed some great contacts I am still in touch with today.
Why would you recommend the ESA Diploma to those looking to advance their career in sponsorship?
- It gives a comprehensive overview of the industry meaning there is a chance for anyone to learn something.
- It’s a great opportunity to meet and network with fellow industry professionals.
- The ESA Diploma is the only course of its kind specifically tailored to Sponsorship – so it views the industry through a practical lens, that other courses don’t.
Natasha Cabral
Senior Sales Manager, Global Partnerships, AEG
“The Diploma provides a unique platform for discussion and debate… You quickly learn the importance of considering all perspectives and how valuable it is to maintain a diverse network.”
What role were you in when you started the ESA Diploma?
Insight & Strategy Executive at Havas Sports & Entertainment.
What role are you in now, and how has your career advanced since graduating?
After graduating with the ESA Diploma I remained at Havas and focused predominately on a project with FIFA, this led to being selected for a secondment to The FA which later turned into a full time role. I have since stayed rights holder side and I am now the Senior Sales Manager in the Global Partnerships Team at AEG.
What skills and networks did you develop through the ESA Diploma?
Each year the industry treats us to various sponsorship records, scandals and controversies, to be in a room full of agencies, brands and right holders provides a pretty unique platform to discuss and debate these. You quickly learn the importance of considering all perspectives and how valuable it is to maintain this diverse network.
Why would you recommend the ESA Diploma to those looking to advance their career in sponsorship?
The quality of speakers for sure, to hear the successes and lessons of those who are at the peak of their career was so inspiring, there wasn’t one I didn’t think ‘I want your job one day!’
Daniel McEwan
Head of Partnerships, McLaren Racing
“The ESA Diploma gave me a far greater understanding of the sports marketing ecosystem as a whole… From contracts, commercial and digital media to comms and PR, the skills I learned have all helped bring a more integrated approach to working projects throughout my career.”
What role were you in when you started the ESA Diploma?
Account Manager at brandRapport (This is now part of CAA).
What role are you in now, and how has your career advanced since graduating?
Head of Partnerships, McLaren Racing. From undertaking the ESA Diploma I was able to use my increased skillset and knowledge to move into Formula 1, becoming Account Director of the Johnnie Walker F1 account at Just Marketing International (JMI). From there I progressed through both the JMI and then CSM businesses to Senior Account Director then onto Associate Director of CSM responsible for Johnnie Walker F1, Lucozade and Business Development.
What skills and networks did you develop through the ESA Diploma?
The ESA diploma gave me a far greater understanding of the sports marketing and media ecosystem as a whole vs. the traditional activation path I had come from. Upskilling in Contracts, Commercial, Social, Digital, Comms & PR have all helped bring a more holistic and integrated approach to delivering great partnerships throughout my career. I am still in contact with a small group of my ESA intake – work directly with a couple and keep up with the great work others are doing in their respective roles.
Why would you recommend the ESA Diploma to those looking to advance their career in sponsorship?
I benefited from the course and have since put numerous team members through it as I believe it gives a great grounding into the wider marketing and commercial landscape. You also get a chance to meet and work with like-minded driven people who care about the future of sport and standards of our industry as a whole – which is something I am very passionate about.
Izabela Taseski
Brand & Partnerships, LULULEMON
“The ESA Diploma gave me a deep understanding of how partnerships can shift business and social impact outcomes when selected, treated, activated and managed properly.”
What role were you in when you started the ESA Diploma?
At Barclays (UK) working on Sponsorships.
What role are you in now, and how has your career advanced since graduating?
At lululemon (AUNZ) working on brand and partnerships. I’ve definitely developed a deep strategic understanding of partnerships. At lululemon AUNZ I’ve helped form a partnership team as a result of this intimate understanding and belief in this function.
What skills and networks did you develop through the ESA Diploma?
A deep understanding of how partnerships can shift business and social impact outcomes, when selected, treated, activated and managed properly.
What major changes or innovations are you seeing in the sponsorship industry, and how are you adapting to these changes in your current job?
A huge focus on social impact partnerships, and a move away from ‘sponsorship’ terminology and towards a true ‘partnership’.
Why would you recommend the ESA Diploma to those looking to advance their career in sponsorship?
Anyone looking to work in marketing should consider the ESA Diploma. The foundations and fundamental principles are relevant for any marketeer, whether they focus on partnerships or remain in a general marketing role. Not to mention, the educators and Course Director, Peter Raymond, are all pretty entertaining 🙂
Graduates work at organisations including:
Highlights from 2025 cohort
“The course was challenging, engaging and insightful all at once. I’ve come away feeling much more knowledgeable, and I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned to help further develop and evolve our partnerships programme at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society.”
Rory Bryant
Edinburgh Fringe Festival Society
Additional feedback from Diploma alumni
