Guest Lecturers
Hubert Rovers
Hubert is one of the founders of EFDN and is an international CSR and football for development consultant. In his position at EFDN and as a consultant, he supports clubs and other football organisations with the setup and development of their CSR policy, M&E protocols, community projects and fundraising activities.
Hubert has been active in the football for development sector since 2007 and has gained his experience as CEO of the Community Foundation of NAC Breda and as project manager of the Dutch “More than Football” Foundation.
Since 2014, he has grown EFDN to over 130 professional clubs, leagues and FA’s from 30 European countries. Additionally, Hubert is the Chair of Show Racism the Red Card the Netherlands, a Dutch organisation focussed on educating children and adults on anti-racism.
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Michał Kanarkiewicz
Michał Kanarkiewicz – Strategic advisor for corporate clients, Chess trainer of stars, ECA CMP & MBA lecturer, Inspirational speaker. Owner of the Kanarkiewicz Strategy Consulting Company. He cooperates with the brands such as: PZU, KGHM, ING Bank Śląski, Volvo, EY, PwC, Siemens, L’oreal, Heineken, Alior Bank, Bank Pekao, Bank Millennium, BNP Paribas, Santander Bank, Warta, Lufthansa, Luxmed and Capgemini. The author of 6 books, including the bestseller The Strategies of Chess Grandmasters in Business. He teaches strategic thinking, strategy building and decision-making by means of chess. The host of his own television show “The ABC of Chess”. In 2020, he drew in a game of chess with none other than the grandmaster, the 12th World Chess Champion, Anatoly Karpov himself.
Olivier Jarosz
Olivier Jarosz is a leading practitioner in football club strategies specialising in club football insights with an extensive knowledge and expertise of clubs at all levels, youth academy assessments as well as club operations. Over 10 years of experience in charge of R&D efforts at the European Club Association (ECA) masterminding several innovative and industry-leading publications related to topics such as Club Management, Youth Academies & Women’s Football.
Université de Genève Graduate & Wharton Aresty Scholar.
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Charlie Marshall
In his role as Chief Executive Officer of ECA, Charlie Marshall works hand in hand with ECA’s Member Clubs and key stakeholders on all strategic, commercial and political matters concerning European Club Football, as well as managing the daily operations of the Association. He joined ECA in November 2018 with a background of senior international executive experience at the intersection of sports, media and technology. In his previous role as Chief Operating Officer at Supponor, a sports media-tech company, he played a transformational role in bringing augmented reality technology to the global sports industry. Prior to that, Charlie spent over a decade in strategy consulting across the sports and wider media industry, including long term engagements with the Premier League and other global sports properties.
Dr. Jakub Laskowski
Dr. Jakub Laskowski, attorney-at-law, PhD in sports law, Director of Legal and Sports Administration at Legia Warszawa S.A., arbitrator at Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne and at Football Arbitration Court at Polish FA, member of the Social Dialogue Committee of Polish FA. Member of ECA Legal Advisory Panel and ECA Transfer Expert Group. Recognised on Legal 500 General Counsel Powerlist Central and Eastern Europe 2019.
Łukasz Wojtowicz
Łukasz Wojtowicz currently works as Head of CEO Office at UEFA Events SA, a wholly owned subsidiary of UEFA responsible for commercial and operational delivery of UEFA’s most prestigious events such as the UEFA EURO, UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League. In his role, Lukasz leads a team supporting the CEO in strategic management of the company, with a primary focus on programme management, knowledge & event workforce management. Lukasz has studied law at University of California in San Francisco and is admitted to the New York Bar. Lukasz joined UEFA in 2009 and during his tenure at the European football governing body, he has also worked as Venue Director for UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, Match Director for UEFA EURO 2016 and Project Manager for the 2015 UEFA Europa League Final. In addition to his unique sporting events management and legal experience, Lukasz is also keen to explore the latest technological advancements and their potential for disrupting the sports industry. He is a mentor in a leading European sports accelerator and has served as a judge in international startup contests.
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Marcin Herra
High-performing executive with over 20 years involvement in general and project management. Experienced in the management of megaprojects, sport, entertainment events and multifunctional venues.
He had significant role in organising two European Championships tournaments in Poland (UEFA EURO 2012 and MEN’s EHF 2016). Between 2008 and 2012 he was CEO of PL.2012, which was the special purpose managerial organisation and general PMO for all public side projects and main key areas for successful preparation and delivery UEFA Euro 2012. Between 2013 – 2016 executive manager of Men’s EHF Euro 2016, leading the team during all phases of the event starting from planning through delivery and tournament management. In 2013 – 2014 he worked as CEO of PL.2012plus, operator of PGE National Stadium in Warsaw. During that time the operator’s team successfully developed and implemented totally new (breakthrough) business strategy and operational model which laid foundation for achieving positive results for the future. Due to the new management strategy, the National Stadium became the most popular place in Poland within just 18 months and financial results exceeded initial expectations.
Nowadays he takes a senior positions in the companies and organizations owned by Mr. Dariusz Mioduski where he is responsible for the business strategy and development of new brands. He also serves as head of Arena Operator, the private operator of Arena Gliwice (the biggest Polish indoor multifunctional arena).
Prior to embarking on the EURO 2012 project, Marcin Herra he developed his professional activity in the oil&gas industry. He worked as the Chairman of Lotos Group’s largest subsidiary. In 2006/7 was broadening his experience at Shell Global Solutions, working for companies in various countries (Russia, England, Serbia, Netherlands).
He completed legal and MBA studies.
He is passionate about sports especially tennis, golf, skiing, football and running.
Bartosz Bieszyński
Bartosz Bieszyński, a master in managing the strategies of brands as well as implementing developmental projects at Legia Warszawa S.A. With an immense professional portfolio deriving from attending events and meetings over the course of many years, he emerged from working for corporations and later transferred his talents into the agency sector. In charge of planning, monitoring, and ultimately the realization of events for corporations such as: PKN Orlen or Ernst & Young Polska. He also held the position of business development manager in agencies such as LIVE. In addition to that, he was also the CEO of Walk Events in the marketing group San Markos/ Master Brand/ SG Marketing. Amongst other things, he was also responsible for the creative pondering and creation process of strategic projects in order to receive sponsorships as well as build valuable relations with key clients. Co-created events such as: Verva Street Racing 2011/ 2012/ 2016, Top Gear Live 2013, Orlen Warsaw Marathon 2013 & 2017, Gala Ernst & Young Przedsiębiorca Roku 2012, Orange Euro Mapping 3D 2012, FH-DCE Super Rally 2013 & 2018, IHestia 2016, and The Grand Opening of The World Games 2017. In addition to being the Chairman of the Program Council for the THINK MICE magazine, he was recognized as a laureate by highly renowned domestic and international industry awards (BEA, EVENTEX, MP POWER, EFFIE). Coordinator of the Events Industry Council in Poland (TUgether) throughout II – XII 2020. Prior to that, due to the COVID-19 crisis he was elected coordinator of the industry crisis management team next to the Ministry of Development (III – IV 2020). Considered an expert along with an educator in a wide range of events revolving around marketing and team/ project management (an author of multiple publications surrounding these topics). An alumnus of the University of Warsaw coupled with being a scholar of the Queen’s University in Belfast. Besides his impressive professional background, a proud father of two boys who is passionate about history, running and skiing.
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