MENTORS

Mike Fatkin

Mike Fatkin is 47 and is currently CEO at Welsh Netball, based in Cardiff, a position he combines with doing an MSc in Human Resource Management at Glamorgan University, which qualifies him as a member of the CIPD. Mike worked in cricket administration for 23 years, joining Glamorgan from Nottingham Trent University after doing a Media degree in 1986, and working his way up to the position of Chief Executive, which he held for 13 seasons from 1996.  He was a key player in the 2007/8 Cardiff ground development and in the venue being chosen as the first new home Ashes venue since 1902.  He was Cricket Secretary when Glamorgan won its first ever one-day trophy in 1993, and the team went on to win three more major trophies  – including the County Championship in 1997 – while he was CEO. Since taking up the netball position in early 2009 Mike has stayed in touch with cricket, serving on Benefit committees for Alex Wharf, Dean Cosker and Mike Powell and undertaking final year MSc research based on some HR work of the PCA and counties. He also does some external management consultancy work across a range of business disciplines.

You can contact Mike on 0845 045 4302 or email him at: mikefatkin@welshnetball.com

Matthew Wheeler

Matthew Wheeler has been a leading figure in the international sports and entertainment market for over 20-years as a senior executive, entrepreneur and adviser. 

For the past 10 years he has worked, usually as chairman and often alongside private equity investors, with the executive management of a number of businesses in sport, media and entertainment to create and realise shareholder value.

Matthew is currently the chairman of BDA, Managing Partner of Sports Investment Partners (SIP) and a non executive director of Input Media.

• BDA is an international creative marketing agency backed by Octopus Private Equity. BDA works with the world’s major broadcasters on branding, positioning and outsourcing of creative services.
• Sports Investment Partners is the UK’s first ever investment firm focused purely on driving investment and growth in the sports industry. SIP was set up in early 2011 and partners include: Sir Martin Broughton, chairman of British Airways and former chairman of Liverpool FC; John Connolly, former worldwide chairman of Deloitte; and Nic Couchman, chairman of the leading specialist law partnership in sport.
• Input Media is the UK’s leading independent sports television production company.

Matthew is a former professional cricketer with Northamptonshire and is currently a non executive director of the Professional Cricketers Association.

Please contact Jason Ratcliffe for further information at jratcliffe@thepca.co.uk

Anthony Wreford

Anthony Wreford has worked for Omnicom, one of the largest advertising and communications services group in the world, for 22 years. 

He has two roles in cricket, as the Senior Trustee at MCC and as non-executive Chairman of the PCA.

His other interests include a directorship at Portas Consulting, which specialises in giving advice and building business models across sport. Clients include governing bodies, clubs and corporate sponsors.

He has also consulted in the music industry, including Ministry of Sound, and is a regular advisor to various private equity firms.

Please contact Jason Ratcliffe for further information at jratcliffe@thepca.co.uk

Richard Doughty

Richard is 51 and currently an addiction therapist counselling offenders within an HMP in Yorkshire. During the 1980’s he played at Gloucestershire CCC and Surrey CCC having spent three seasons on the Lord’s Ground staff. Upon ending his playing career he spent the next 10 years within the sports marketing industry. Firstly working for Pentland Group PLC in sporting goods brands where he worked closely with the ECB in developing, designing and supplying all coloured clothing to counties, whilst also designing the first performance range of cricket footwear. He was also an active part in developing the brands awareness within soccer replica merchandise. Thereafter he joined Octagon Athlete Representation as a F.I.F.A licensed agent and Director of UK Soccer.

Richard’s life was badly affected by his own addiction, which lead him to seek help and find recovery through the Twelve Step programme. He has remained clean and sober from that day.

Since then he has re-trained and  worked within homeless hostels and was one of 18 ex-elite sportsman as apart of the RAMP mentor programme for the Youth Sports Trust, which works with young people with behavioural problems. Richard believes his training and experience has given him in the necessary skills to be able to help those seeking help to turn their lives around.

You can contact Richard at blueboy7@live.com