ESA member Two Circles has made a number of key leadership changes, including the appointment of Lakhbir Sandhu as Group Chief Financial Officer. Sandhu will be responsible for driving Two Circles’ overall financial strategy as the business expands its sales, service and technology offering in Europe and North America.
Two Circles uses data analytics around sports fan behaviour to drive commercial growth for the world’s leading sports rights-owners. In 2020 Two Circles posted a ninth year of record revenue, and over the last three months has acquired and integrated two agencies: independent sports rights-sales business TRM Partners and Sports Ink, the ticketing and hospitality specialist founded by London 2012 Director of Ticketing Paul Williamson.
Sandhu’s 20-year career in finance includes roles at Goldman Sachs, executing M&A and financing transactions for FTSE 100 companies, and Barclays, where as a Director he led private equity investments for the bank’s investment arm, holding board positions at several portfolio companies.
He was also CFO of NorthRow, the private equity-backed technology business that uses data to provide automated client identity verification, while most recently he was CFO at Shorelight, an investor in assets and businesses that operate in the lower carbon energy value chain.
Gareth Balch, CEO of Two Circles, said:
“Lakhbir’s extensive knowledge from the world of private equity and hands-on experience building technology businesses will be invaluable as we continue to grow a sustainable and diversified global agency. Lakhbir brings with him a forensic focus on strategy and operational excellence, and he has a track record for execution and achieving results; these qualities make him the right choice to drive all aspects of our future commercial decision-making.”
In the newly-created role of Managing Director (UK Services & Products), George Foster will also lead Two Circles’ client services and technology development in the UK, where the agency works with 85% of sports rights-holders by revenue. Since joining Two Circles in 2016 from Surrey County Cricket Club, Foster has played a central role in the agency’s work driving revenue growth, attendances and digital engagement in football, rugby union, tennis and horse racing.
Additionally, Dale Kirsop has taken the expanded Group role of Chief Operating Officer, leading Two Circles’ ongoing investments in its high-performing team, continuing to ensure the agency produces industry-leading impact globally. Kirsop has served as Two Circles’ Commercial Operations Director since 2016 after joining from Guardian News & Media, where he was Head of Membership.
–ENDS–
For further information:
Matt Cutler
Head of Communications, Two Circles
matt.cutler@twocircles.com
+447957184415
About Two Circles
From a global network of teams in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Bern, Two Circles uses data to grow direct relationships between sports and fans, driving business growth for over 300 of the world’s leading sports rights-owners including the NFL, Premier League, UEFA, F1 and Wimbledon. Two Circles’ technology-enabled, service-led offering helps clients grow revenue across their eventday, sponsorship and media businesses. In 2020, Two Circles was named Sport Industry Agency of the Year for the third time.
