Sports Conference 2026

Rachael is a Partner at Level and is the first female Chair of the Pro Manchester Sports Committee. She is an experienced disputes lawyer across sport, media and entertainment with a specialist practice in defamation, privacy, media crisis and reputation management, which she has handled at the highest level for newsworthy clients against national and international media outlets. Whilst naturally most of her work is confidential, her work over the years has included advisory services to a broad range of clients including topflight professional footballers (PL, EFL, WSL), football and rugby clubs, sporting organisations and individuals and managers working across football, golf, boxing, athletics and rugby, well-known actors, musicians, newsworthy OBE and MBE recipients and individuals in official public roles. As part of her work, she has regularly considered and handled EDI and reputational issues in sport as part of her practice.

With a distinguished career spanning 25 years across Sports, Media, and Hospitality, Deepa has mastered the art of uncovering and sharing the stories of extraordinary individuals. As the host of the acclaimed podcast ‘Thinking Deepa’, she delves into transformative conversations, extracting powerful insights that inspire growth and change.

At the helm of Thinking Deepa, Deepa has hosted trailblazing guests, including global icons like Usain Bolt and Shaun Wright-Phillips. The podcast’s impact speaks for itself—one of its standout episodes ranked #1 on Spotify, a testament to the powerful conversations and game-changing insights that have captivated audiences worldwide. Renowned for its focus on self-development, Thinking Deepa uncovers life-altering lessons and cutting-edge strategies, equipping listeners with the tools to elevate their lives.

Beyond the microphone, Deepa is an award-winning events, marketing, and partnerships strategist, known for crafting bespoke strategies that drive real impact. With a keen ability to transform ideas into reality, she has launched multiple successful venues and provided expert consultation to a diverse range of businesses. Her signature blend of innovation and strategic insight makes her an invaluable asset to every project she undertakes.

Her leadership extends beyond her professional work—Deepa serves on the Executive Committee for Soho House and is a Sports Committee Member with Pro Manchester, demonstrating her deep commitment to shaping influential networks and driving meaningful conversations.

Nick Rusling is CEO of the Greater Manchester Wellbeing Series, a pioneering movement to transform urban workforce wellbeing through mass-participation events that combine movement and mindfulness. He is the former owner of the Manchester Marathon, former CEO of IMG and ASO (owners of the Tour de France) and All Here (science and tech-led meditation organisation). Also former Trustee of Women in Sport, Herne Hill Velodrome and Advisor in Padel and Pickleball.

Steve Kavanagh leads the gunnercookeSport division and brings over 25 years of experience across all levels of professional football. He offers first-hand insight into the commercial, operational, and strategic complexities that shape the modern sports industry.

Steve has extensive experience in contract negotiations, sponsorships, compliance, image rights, employment matters, and financial strategy. He has supported organisations across a diverse range of sports, including football, NFL, tennis, cricket, rugby, sailing, boxing, and athletics.

He has also overseen and advised on high-profile disputes involving property negotiations, player agreements, and commercial litigation.

Grace is a Manager in Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, specialising in sports Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A). She advises high-profile clients on transactions and strategic initiatives across the North West, UK, Europe, and the Middle East, covering M&A/investment strategies, player acquisition strategies, D2C media, governance, and commercial/revenue growth. Her experience includes a secondment to the media department of a major governing body and an M&A advisory mandate for a major European club. Grace also contributes to Deloitte’s thought leadership, particularly on the rise of women’s sport and the Annual Review of Football Finance.

Chris is Sport Bidding Manager at Marketing Manchester, a role he has held since 2020.  He works collaboratively with other partner organisations to bring major sporting events and conferences to the city-region.  His role sees him working closely with Manchester City Council Events Team and Manchester Active to identify priority events and in recent years he has helped to attract events such as the Davis Cup Tennis 2023-24, UEFA Euro 2028 and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.  Prior to taking on this role, Chris spent 14 years working in sport event planning and sports development with Manchester City Council, working closely with several sporting national governing bodies.

Having worked for Manchester City Council for nearly 24 years, Yawar has seen the City transformed by investment levered through sport. With experience in both Sports Development and more recently leading the Major Sports Events Team, he has seen how sport can be a catalyst for positive change.

In 2020, Phoebe Graham left her job as marketing lead for broadcaster Sky to become a full-time cricketer, becoming one of 41 women to be handed a full-time professional contract by the England and Wales Cricket Board. 5 years later, the game has been fully professionalised, minimum salaries have been established and the scope for female athletes in the UK has revolutionised. Outside of cricket, Graham established Tip ‘n Flip in 2019, an organisation that engages with leaders and employers that want to champion gender parity and which seeks to help young girls to follow their sporting dreams without compromise