Director of your own company? Check. Working with elite clients the world over? Check. These achievements while still studying? Check.
Saad Wadia is one of the Co-Founders and Directors of Avalon Sports Group – a London-based consultancy for business in sport, athletes and those looking to expand their market through social influencers. He founded the company with fellow UCFB graduates Raj Shah and Lorenz Essing.
During his time at UCFB Wembley, where he studied BA (Hons) Football Business & Marketing, Saad was SU president and undertook work placements including a role with the media team of the Dallas Cowboys when they played in London.
Saad and his now colleagues used their entrepreneurial spirit, as well as their knowledge of the growing sports market, to set about making Avalon a success while still students. Since then, Avalon has successfully negotiated a sponsorship deal for UK brand Crep Protect to be the official shoe care partner of Indian Super League giant Chennaiyin FC. Saad and Avalon also helped former Chelsea player Michael Essien in getting his first ever TV role for MBC Pro Sport in Saudi Arabia.
“UCFB has helped us with our business in a lot of ways,” explained Saad. “It gave us the platform to work while studying, and it gave us the opportunity to work on projects that we liked. It gave us the chance to grow organically.”
He added: “UCFB from a sales point of view works. If you go into a room and say that you study at Wembley Stadium, all of a sudden people want to know more about what you do. So we’ve definitely used that to our advantage!”
