Welcome to Sideline Moves, Insider Sport’s weekly roundup spotlighting the key moves shaping the business of sport.
Every Friday, we bring you the latest executive appointments, strategic hires, boardroom shifts, and behind-the-scenes deals from across the global sports industry – all in one place.
Brailsford leaves Manchester United to focus on INEOS
Dave Brailsford has stepped down from Manchester United’s board of directors, completing a phased departure from the club to resume his work within the INEOS sporting group.
The move, confirmed via a Manchester United’s Companies House filing, shows that Brailsford’s directorship was formally terminated on 30 April. This follows his decision last summer to give up day-to-day operations at Old Trafford to return to his role as Director of Sport for INEOS.
Brailsford joined the Manchester United football board in December 2023, following Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a minority stake in the club.
During his time at the Premier League club, he was involved in overhauling United’s internal structure. He was instrumental in the high-profile appointments of Chief Executive Omar Berrada and Technical Director Jason Wilcox.
Manchester United is expected to appoint two senior INEOS figures to the football board to fill the vacancies left by Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc, who left the board last year.
Lancaster confirmed as New Zealand Rugby CEO after interim stint
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has appointed Steve Lancaster as its permanent Chief Executive Officer, ending a six-month search for a leader.
The appointment, confirmed on 7 May, sees Lancaster move from the interim role he assumed in October 2025.
A former professional lock for the Crusaders, Lancaster has been a fixture in the NZR executive team since 2020, previously serving as the General Manager of Community Rugby.
During his interim tenure, Lancaster oversaw several projects, including the recruitment of a new All Blacks head coach and the recent appointments of Chris Brown as Chief Commercial Officer and Chris Kinraid as CFO.
NZR Chair David Kirk noted that Lancaster’s performance during the period was a deciding factor for the board.
“I fully understand the responsibility that comes with the role,” said Lancaster. “We are a small country with deep rugby DNA. If we can work together as a rugby system, anything is achievable.”
Formula E appoints Paretta to lead sporting operations
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has appointed veteran motorsport executive Beth Paretta as VP of Sporting.
Effective from 1 May, Paretta’s role involves overseeing all sporting and championship activities.
She will serve as the primary liaison between the electric racing series and its key stakeholders, including the FIA, existing manufacturers and teams, while also heading the recruitment of new participants to the series’ ecosystem.
Paretta arrives at Formula E with over two decades of experience across the automotive and racing sectors. She is the Founder of Paretta Autosport, the first women-forward team to compete in the Indianapolis 500.
“Beth’s extensive background in motorsport management and her commitment to innovation and inclusivity are invaluable assets,” said Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds.
“Her leadership will be pivotal in steering our sporting operations to new heights as we look towards the GEN4 era.”
WME Sports expands elite roster with signing of Keely Hodgkinson
WME Sports has announced the signing of reigning Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson.
Hodgkinson moves to the agency from Forte Sports Talent following an unbelievable period that included a gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Hodgkinson’s rise to the top of middle-distance running has seen her hold the Olympic, World, European, and World Indoor titles at the same time.
These wins have led to a significant surge in commercial profile. Following her Olympic success, Hodgkinson was named the 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year, a feat that has attracted partnerships with brands such as Nike and Omega.
Hodgkinson now enters a stable of athletes known for their appeal and commercial ventures, including seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton and tennis star Emma Raducanu.
Snapshot Moves
- Misha Sher has left WPP after 12 years as Global Head of Sport, Entertainment and Gaming to launch a new, unannounced venture.
- Edin Terzić has been appointed manager of Athletic Club on a two-year contract following his UEFA Champions League final run with Borussia Dortmund.
- Olly Dale joins Elevate as the agency’s first Managing Partner for Europe and Asia to lead its international expansion from the London office.
- Sven Kums has returned to KAA Gent as Talent Manager to oversee youth development and player retention
- Stephen Garrett has become Business Development Manager at the NI Chamber after concluding a 12-year tenure with the Irish Football Association.
We’re spotlighting the movers and shakers shaping the sports business every Friday.
Submit your people moves to Insider Sport’s Senior Journalist, Kieran O’Connor, at [email protected] to be featured in the next edition of Sideline Moves.
Catch up on last week’s Sideline Moves to read about how the company behind football’s Video Assistant Referee is looking to build trust.
