CAA Sports Expands in London
February 10, 2025 – CAA Sports, a division of entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), has expanded with the addition of senior sports sponsorship executive Lucy Englander and veteran media and entertainment executive Jonathan Davies in its property sales and executive search divisions, respectively. “CAA Sports has experienced remarkable growth over the past few years, culminating in record-breaking results across all areas in 2024,” said Matthew O’Donohoe, president, CAA Sports International. “With 2025 off to an incredibly strong start, we are entering the year with great momentum, strengthened by exceptional new talent joining our business and the quality of our teams across our offices in London, Munich, and Singapore. We are committed to delivering outstanding work for our clients, and are confident in our ability to drive continued success and innovation across the global sports landscape.”
Ms. Englander joins the company from Saracens Group, where, for the past eight years, she served as commercial director, spearheading the club’s efforts to maximize revenues through partnerships, hospitality, ticketing, and events. She developed precedent-setting commercial programs, drove year-on-year revenue growth, and oversaw more than £50 million in sponsorship transactions. Previously, Ms. Englander held senior sponsorship positions at Samsung and Progressive Sports & Entertainment Marketing.
Based in CAA’s London office, Ms. Englander will focus on creating sponsorship opportunities for the agency’s long-standing clients such as Formula 1, Oracle Red Bull Racing, and Riot Games, as well as global football rightsholders.
“Lucy has an outstanding track record of success, securing world-class partnerships for rights holders and brands,” said Alexa Cook and Rob Slocum, global co-heads of CAA Sports property sales. “Her expertise and trusted relationships across the sports industry will be instrumental in driving exceptional outcomes for our clients. We are thrilled to welcome her to our team and look forward to the exciting opportunities and insights she will bring to the agency.”
Mr. Davies joins CAA Executive Search as partner, bringing more than 25 years of experience in media and entertainment across multiple territories. He has served as media group director at Saatchi & Saatchi; executive vice-president and chief commercial officer at CNN International; and managing director of global commercial & marketing partnerships at Eurosport and Discovery International. Throughout his career, Mr. Davies has played a key role in driving global growth, and leading innovative commercial strategies across multiple territories.
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CAA Executive Search launched in 2017, marking the first major U.S. talent agency to establish an executive search practice. Throughout the past 12 months, the team has successfully negotiated and completed more than 400 executive search assignments. The agency, which acquired Hanold Associates Executive Search in October 2024, further bolstered the division, expanding its industry footprint and enhancing its expertise in the recruitment of human resources leadership.
Hanold Associates Acquired By Creative Artists Agency
In a significant move within the executive recruiting landscape, Hanold Associates has been acquired by Creative Artists Agency (CAA). With the deal, Hanold’s expertise in recruiting diverse corporate HR talent will be integrated into CAA’s executive search division. Let’s go inside the latest deal!
“We are thrilled to welcome Jonathan to our team,” said Asher Simons, president, CAA Executive Search. “He brings an unparalleled depth of knowledge and expertise, along with real-world operational experience as a senior leader at some of the world’s largest media companies. His insights will be invaluable not only in expanding our market-leading media practice, but also in collaboration with our exceptionally talented team.”
In his new role, Mr. Davies will access his vast network, experience, and expertise to help guide the agency’s search efforts spanning media and entertainment globally.
Promotions
These two appointments come on the heels of the agency’s recent promotions of Lianne Adampoulos in Singapore, and Tom Brooke and Oliver Acutt in London. Ms. Adamopoulos, elevated to property sales executive at CAA Sports APAC, will build and execute commercial partnerships for global rights holders in Formula 1, soccer, golf, tennis, baseball, basketball and Esports. Ms. Adamopoulos joined CAA Sports APAC as a professional in 2022. Previously, she worked in commercial roles at ONE Championship and IMG.
Mr. Brooke began his career at IMG and joined CAA Sports as an assistant in 2021 before being elevated to professional in 2023. Now a sports property sales executive, he will focus on building brand partnerships for global rights holders in Formula 1, soccer, golf, tennis, and Esports. Mr. Acutt was promoted to executive in sports talent sales, where he will focus on building and managing digital brand partnerships for CAA Sports’ talent roster, in addition to overseeing content creation, social media management, and strategy. He joined CAA Sports in 2021 as a professional, and previously worked for 2016 F1 World Champion, Nico Rosberg, building his in-house production team and digital strategy.
Related: An Inside Look at the World of Sports Recruiting
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
