CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 1 2024 30 Having gained a bachelor’s degree in sports and physical education then qualified to teach, Mark joined Bromley Football Club as First Team coach in 2013. Following his success in this role, he was Founded in 1892, Bromley Football Club is a professional football club based in Bromley, a large town in South East London. At the helm of the club and its operations is CEO Mark Hammond, a passionate sports leader who has been with the organisation for more than a decade. Here, we speak to him to find out more about his role following his success in winning Sports Hospitality CEO of the Year, London, in the CEO of the Year Awards 2023. later approached by the club’s Board of Directors, who invited him to help launch and build an academy at Hayes Lane. Seizing the opportunity without hesitation, Mark demonstrated an astonishing sense of purpose on this project and quickly won the trust of both the Board and staff alike. Mark was appointed Academy Director and Assistant Manager during the 2015-2016 season. In July 2022, he became CEO of Bromley Football Club. Today, at the helm of the organisation, his mission is to inspire all staff, stakeholders, players, and supporters by building and delivering effective strategies, initiatives, and opportunities for everyone to participate in sports. He also endeavours to positively impact the club’s operations and strategy whilst developing successful leadership teams and departments. However, Mark’s focus during this period was the development and growth of the academy player, staff, and business model. He has taken the post-16-19 boys academy from 40 players to over 300 players. Mark has built a boy’s youth development academy from under-12s to under-16s, established a men’s under-23 development pathway programme, and launched the girls’ and women’s strategy which sees over 60 girls represent Bromley FC at elite level. “My role is to provide direction and management control over the organisation and to ensure that the company moves towards its goals and performs at a level to satisfy its shareholders or stakeholders,” Mark shares. “I also deliver the effectiveness of corporate governance, which typically examines the systems, structures, internal dynamics, and culture.” Mark most strongly identifies with a transformative style of leadership, striving to place all staff emotions, motives, and needs before his own. “I suppose this is because I care and have the experience that, in sport, change is inevitable and therefore you need to move and adapt with the times,” he explains. “Every year, there are coaching, administrative, personnel, and rule changes within sports organisations, so I have to help others understand and be agile with their approach!” As a result, under Mark’s leadership, Bromley Football Club operates based on a culture of continuous learning, which enables it to keep up with the times, improve, and achieve more every day. In addition to this, the club encourages its team to be passionate about what they do, help others succeed, work hard, and have fun. They also bring their family principles into the workplace where possible, creating a close-knit community of staff. Mark’s influence on the club’s hospitality served 2023 up as a transformative year. He has successfully enhanced the matchday experience by introducing new and innovative concepts in an executive way. He has also implemented sustainable practices and reduced the environmental impact while maintaining highquality standards. The year has been marked by growth, new partnerships, and a genuine sense of community! Ultimately, Mark stands as an exemplar for his unique blend of talents and experiences required to deliver success for a club as a sporting enterprise, sustainable business, and cornerstone for the community. This extends further to his role of advisor for education departments, whereby he provides expert guidance on curriculum design and supporting data outcomes. Mark also sits as a school/college Governor and has recently been appointed as a College Fellow for his achievements and contributions towards football and education. For his exceptional leadership at Bromley Football Club, centred around his commitment to not only driving business success but also ensuring the satisfaction of his team, Mark Hammond was named Sports Hospitality CEO of the Year, London, in the CEO of the Year Awards 2023. On the future, he comments, “I would like to personally see the club gain League 2 promotion! This would be an achievement by all associated with the Club both past and present! Then, I’d like us to establish ourselves as an EFL newcomer, learning and growing within our new setting.” Contact: Mark Hammond Company: Bromley Football Club Web Address: www.bromleyfc.co.uk Mark Hammond: A Sports CEO Inspiring Teams to Thrive
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