UCFB is a college of Bucks New UniversityExecutive Guest Speaker Series
Students at UCFB have the opportunity to learn from senior practitioners in the football and sports business.
In our Executive Guest Speaker Series a guest speaker visits UCFB most weeks to deliver a lecture to students on an area of their expertise and to answer questions.
Steve McManaman, in an exclusive guest lecture at UCFB’s Wembley Stadium campus.
Guest speakers include the Chief Executives of Premier League football clubs, the directors of major corporations, senior figures in football governing bodies and in the core related industries of finance, marketing, media and broadcasting, along with leading journalists and academics. This gives UCFB students unique and unlimited access to a global network of contacts at the top of the football business and surrounding industry.
Click below to read more about some of the speakers who have attended UCFB so far:
Nigel Adkins - Manager of Hull City
Former professional footballer, physiotherapist and current manager of Hull City, Nigel Adkins, shared his advice with students as part of the UCFB Insight Series.
Guillem Balague - Sky Sports' Spanish football expert & international journalist
Following his recent Executive Guest Speaker session with students at UCFB Wembley, Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Guillem Balague still believes there is a lot Spain can learn from England, especially in a commercial sense.
Brian Barwick - Chairman of the Rugby Football League
UCFB ambassador and adviser Dr Brian Barwick explained how students will benefit in their future careers in the football and sport industry by studying at the world class facilities on offer at UCFB.
Jane Bateman - Head of international relations at The Football Association
During her visit to UCFB Wembley, Jane Bateman praised the work done in her department and advised students what their careers could look like in a similar role.
Rachel Brown-Finnis - Former Everton and England football player
Rachel Brown-Finnis has a central role at UCFB, acting as an ambassador and a member of the advisory board. She also regularly lectures UCFB students at both campuses and organises student placements and work experience opportunities within the industry.
Jon Champion - Sports commentator
Sports commentator Jon Champion sat down with UCFB TV to offer his advice to students, following his guest lecture to Taster Day attendees at UCFB Wembley.
George Cohen - 1966 World Cup winner with England
George Cohen, who is regularly named as England’s greatest ever right back, gave students at UCFB Wembley a unique insight into the pitch at the 1966 World Cup during his talk at the Executive Guest Speaker Session.
Alan Curbishley - Former football player and manager for Charlton Athletic and West Ham United
Former Charlton and West Ham boss Alan Curbishley speaks about his career and education as well as providing invaluable advice to UCFB students.
David Dein - Former vice-chairman of Arsenal Football Club
During his talk with UCFB Wembley students David Dein drew on his 20 year career at Arsenal Football Club and covered subjects such as passion, employability and the decision making involved in hiring an international manager.
Neil Doncaster - Chief Executive at Scottish Professional Football League
A leading light in Scottish football, Neil Doncaster joined the UCFB as an advisory board member in 2013. As Chief Executive of the Scottish Professional Football League, he certainly has a strong history with UK football.
Julie Harrington - Chief Executive of British Cycling
Julie Harrington joined the world-renowned British Cycling as chief executive in 2017 following five successful years at The Football Association.
In her time at The FA, Julie was managing director of St. George’s Park after coming to the team from her post as operations director at Northern Racing. She was considered an esteemed figure within The FA, managing the multi-million-pound Burton-based complex and around 350 members of staff.
Nick Hewer - Star of the Apprentice and Countdown
Having worked his way from junior to owner of a London PR firm, Nick Hewer explains the necessity of good PR in the professional sport environment, during his visit to UCFB Wembley.
Chris Hughton - Manager of Brighton and Hove Albion
Chris Hughton speaks about his career and education as well as providing invaluable advice to UCFB students as part of the UCFB Insight Series.
Gabby Logan - BBC sports reporter
BBC Sports Reporter Gabby Logan sat down with UCFB TV to discuss her career and offer advice to students hoping for a career in the football and sports industry.
Kait Ludwig - Club marketing and business operations manager at the Rugby Football League
Having worked her way up to club marketing and business operations manager at the Rugby Football League, Kait Ludwig offered female students at UCFB invaluable advice on how to be a success in the sports industry.
Alistair Mackintosh - Chief Executive at Fulham Football Club
As a successful and renowned chartered accountant, Alistair Mackintosh, in his role as CEO at Fulham Football Club applied strong financial nous to the equally results-driven world of football.
Roberto Martinez - Manager of the Belgium national team
Hoping to guide the Belgium national team to glory at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, Roberto Martinez gave UCFB Etihad Campus students an insight into life as a football manager during his Executive Guest Speaker session.
Steve McClaren - Former England, Newcastle United and FC Twente manager
Former England manager Steve McClaren outlined the vital ingredients needed to be an elite level manager when he was the headline speaker at a recent UCFB postgraduate taster evening.
Alex McLeish - Scotland national team manager
Former Rangers, Birmingham and Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish offered his advice to UCFB students as a part of the UCFB Insight Series.
Steve McManaman - Former Liverpool, Real Madrid and England football player and BT Sport pundit
UCFB students recently enjoyed the unparalleled opportunity to meet current television football pundit and former Liverpool, Real Madrid and England midfielder, Steve McManaman, in an exclusive guest lecture at UCFB’s Wembley Stadium campus.
Hayley McQueen - Sky Sports News presenter
Hayley McQueen, one of Sky Sports’ most popular and prominent presenters, recently visited UCFB Wembley to talk to students about her exciting career path so far, the increasing role of women within the sport industry and to pass on words of wisdom to aspiring media, broadcasting and journalism students.
Mauricio Pochettino - Tottenham manager
During his exclusive interview with UCFB, Mauricio Pochettino made no secret of his passion for education having completed his university degree after he retired from playing at the age of 34.
Chris Powell - Southend United manager
Former professional football player and coach Chris Powell speaks about his distinguished career as well as providing invaluable advice to UCFB students.
Hope Powell - Former England Women's manager
Hope Powell became the first ever full time manager of the England Women’s team in 1998. Her persistence and consistent voice made sure the women’s game became properly funded and administered.
Harry Redknapp - English football manager
Managerial legend Harry Redknapp speaks about his career and education as well as providing invaluable advice to UCFB students.
John Roder - Match of the Day star
Premier League and Match of the Day commentator, John Roder discusses his career within the football industry.
Brendan Rodgers - Celtic's manager
In an interview with UCFB, Brendan Rodgers outlined his approach to the game and his processes, as well as giving an insight on how to become a successful football coach.
Peter Salmon - Global Creative Chief at Endemol shine, former Director, England at the BBC
A Burnley native, Peter has played a key role in the evolution of Britain’s television industry over the past three decades. Having held various positions across the sector, he has built up all of the experience necessary to perform in his current role – as Director England at the BBC.
Dharmesh Sheth - Sky Sports reporter and broadcaster
The Pitch View West Auditorium overlooking the pitch at Wembley Stadium was full for last month’s exclusive guest lecture with Sky Sports News Reporter Dharmesh Sheth. Dharmesh is one of the UK’s most recognisable sports broadcast reporters having worked at Sky Sports News since its inception in 1998, and became an instant favourite with UCFB students.
Gareth Southgate - Manager of the England national team
Around 500 students gathered to hear from the England manager as he told tales from his playing and managerial career, advised students on how to deal with adversity at the highest level and revealed why England fans should be excited about the future.
Martin Tyler - Sky Sports commentator
UCFB Wembley students were recently treated to an exclusive guest lecture and Q&A from the voice of British football, Martin Tyler. Students were delighted to gain an insight into the life of the man that was crowned ‘Commentator of the decade’ in 2007 and whose voice continues to be heard commentating around the globe today.
Mark Warburton - Former English professional football player, coach and manager
Former Rangers boss, Mark Warburton, sat down with UCFB TV to discuss his career and offer advice to students hoping for a career in the football and sports industry.
