Meet the Team
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Meet Peter Halpin, the founder of Halpin Sport Sponsorship & Management Ltd.
Since its inception in 2010, Halpin has led the company to become a trailblazer in the field of sports sponsorship, offering unrivalled expertise and guidance to elite professional football clubs. With his steadfast commitment and visionary leadership, Peter has built the business from the ground up. Halpin Sport Sponsorship has grown into one of the leading and highly respected agencies in the field of elite football sponsorship.
A Passion for Football and Sponsorship:
Peter Halpin’s journey in the world of sports sponsorship is deeply rooted in his unwavering passion for both sports and business. With a keen eye for identifying opportunities, Halpin recognised the untapped potential of sports sponsorship, particularly in elite professional football clubs. Drawing upon his extensive knowledge and experience, he set out to create a company that would bridge the gap between clubs and potential sponsors, helping them forge mutually beneficial partnerships.
Founding Halpin Sport Sponsorship & Management Ltd:
In 2010, Peter Halpin laid the foundation for Halpin Sport Sponsorship & Management Ltd. With an ambitious vision and a robust business plan, he set out to revolutionise the sports sponsorship landscape. Halpin Sport Sponsorship’s aim was to create a platform where football clubs could effectively connect with corporate sponsors, resulting in long-term, impactful partnerships.
Guiding the Growth and Expansion:
Under Peter’s astute leadership, Halpin Sport Sponsorship & Management Ltd has witnessed remarkable growth and expansion. His deep industry insights and strategic approach have been instrumental in securing lucrative sponsorship deals for numerous elite professional football clubs.
By leveraging his extensive network and forging strong relationships, Halpin Sport Sponsorship has consistently delivered exceptional value to his clients, enabling them to enhance their financial stability and achieve sustainable growth.
Expertise and Guidance:
One of Peter’s core strengths lies in his ability to offer invaluable expertise and guidance within the sports sponsorship sector. Recognising the unique challenges faced by football clubs, he has developed innovative strategies tailored to their specific needs. Halpin’s deep understanding of both the sports and corporate landscapes has allowed him to create synergistic partnerships that benefit all stakeholders involved.
Halpin’s visionary approach extends beyond simply securing sponsorships. He actively seeks to create meaningful connections between clubs and sponsors, fostering long-lasting relationships that go beyond financial support. By aligning the values and goals of both parties, he has successfully orchestrated partnerships that generate tangible results, both on and off the field.
Impact and Legacy:
Peter’s dedication to his craft has cemented his reputation as a trusted industry leader. His contributions have not only transformed the fortunes of countless football clubs but have also redefined the sports sponsorship landscape as a whole.
Some of the sponsorships and official partnerships that Peter is directly responsible for include:
Aston Villa – Bodog
Chelsea – Go Markets
Crystal Palace – Foot Asylum
Leicester City – Fair FX
West Ham – Scope Markets
Deportivo Alaves – BetWay
AFC Bournemouth – QuinnBet
Cardiff City – K8 / Champions Travel
Fulham – Spreadex
Luton Town – Foot Asylum
QPR – Ashville Aggregates, Currency UK, Planet Talk
Bohemian – DHL Express
Dundalk – Clarity Sports
Shelbourne – Avonmore Protein Milk and Best Drive by Continental
Kerry – Kerry Airport
The ball is still in play – there’s more to come!
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Meet Nita Whelan, who has been a great addition to Halpin Sport Sponsorship over the last 3 years.
Head of Business and Partnership at Halpin Sport Sponsorship and Newly appointed Commercial Manager of Dundalk FC.
Nita is a dynamic professional with a passion for sports and a keen eye for business development. As the Head of Research and Business Development for Halpin Sport Sponsorship, Nita brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role.
With a background in Public Relations and International Relations, Nita has a strong foundation in strategic communications and relationship building. Her extensive knowledge of the sports industry, combined with her deep understanding of international markets, makes her a valuable asset to Halpin Sport Sponsorship.
Nita's love for sports goes beyond her professional life, as she has always been an avid sports enthusiast. She has a natural understanding of the intricacies of sports sponsorships, having played various sports throughout her life. Her personal experience as an athlete gives her a unique perspective in identifying opportunities and creating partnerships that are mutually beneficial for both parties.
In her role at Halpin Sport Sponsorship, Nita is committed to driving research and business development initiatives to help clients achieve their sponsorship objectives. She is always on the lookout for innovative ways to maximize the value of sports sponsorships, leveraging her expertise in market trends, consumer insights, and strategic planning.
Looking towards the future, Nita is excited about the potential of sports sponsorships to continue evolving and growing. She envisions Halpin Sport Sponsorship becoming a global leader in the industry, forging groundbreaking partnerships and creating unique opportunities for clients to enhance their brand visibility and engage with their target audience.
With her strategic mindset, extensive industry knowledge, and passion for sports, Nita Whelan is well-positioned to drive Halpin Sport Sponsorship's research and business development efforts, contributing to the company's continued success in the dynamic world of sports sponsorships.
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Mark Roach is Halpin Sport Sponsorship's Operations Manager and oversees our team of Football Sponsorship Consultants.
Mark has previously worked in commercial roles for a number of professional, non league and amateur football clubs - including Reading, Oxford United and Maidenhead United. He helped to set up the Maidenhead United Women's team that now plays in the FA Women’s National League Division 1 South West.
He also has a background in sports media and PR. He has worked with Brighton & Hove Albion FC and his previous roles include being editor and writer for a number of international, national, regional and local newspapers, magazines and websites in the UK, Scandinavia and the Middle East.
Mark has hosted two football podcasts. Sports celebrities he has interviewed include the likes of Steve Coppell, Emile Heskey, Peter Shilton, Trevor Sinclair, Matt Le Tissier, John Barnes, Ian Rush, John Salako, Alan Smith, Dave Beasant, Shaka Hislop, golfers Greg Norman and Annika Sorenstam, cricketer Kevin Pietersen and Olympics legends Sir Steve Redgrave, Ed Moses and Nadia Comaneci.
He also helps to run a football academy for former Premier League striker Dave Kitson.
Mark admits that he was never the greatest player. His highest level was playing in Division 3 of the Reading Sunday League. But he has enjoyed success as a manager. He guided Reading College to success in the Berkshire Schools FA Under 19s Trophy - the first time in the college's history that they had won the competition - and was manager of the Berkshire team that reached the last 32 of the National Schools FA Under 19s Trophy. He has also won league titles and cup competitions as manager of amateur teams.
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From the early years of his childhood to the present, Mason's journey has been marked by a love for football, golf and kickboxing—a triad of pursuits that have shaped his character and fuelled his professional career.
Mason discovered the joy of competition and camaraderie through playing football with a local academy. Playing alongside like-minded individuals, the experience left a mark on him, instilling a sense of discipline, teamwork and motivation. Though his competitive days are now more casual, as he plays for leisure with friends at his local astro pitches.
He had a desire to give back to the sporting community and did some volunteer work with Maidenhead United FC, helping out with some of their youth training sessions. Working with aspiring footballers was a great experience for Mason and he found that seeing the joy that football gives to the youth is infectious.
Eager to merge his professional journey with his passion for sports, Mason embarked on a career in the sports industry. He took up a role as Duty Manager at a leisure centre, placing him in the middle of the action, so that he could interact with individuals who shared his enthusiasm for sport and wellbeing. Engaging in conversations with regular clients became a highlight of Mason's day and, more often than not, discussions revolved around the beautiful game—football.
An ideal opportunity presented itself to Mason in the summer of 2023 when he joined Halpin Sport Sponsorship—an organisation that shares his passion for football, people and marketing. The transition marked a significant chapter in his professional journey as he delved into the football industry with renewed focus. Aligning seamlessly with his personal interests, the role has allowed Mason to channel his energy into promoting and enhancing the football experience, leveraging the power of sponsorships and partnerships.
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From growing up in the Middle East to his current pursuits in the passionate football hub of Valencia, Jack brings a unique international perspective to Halpin Sport Sponsorship. Jack has played elite level football at various youth age groups in the Middle East, including for the Qatar Schools National Team, and has since coached kids at a variety of levels and age groups in Belfast. With experience playing, coaching and working in sports to date, Jack has developed a strong network and well-rounded understanding of the modern sports industry.
Driven by a curiosity for the ever-evolving world of sports, Jack graduated with First Class Honours in BSc Sport & Exercise Sciences from Durham University earlier this year. Currently studying in Spain, he is now pursuing an MBA in International Sport Management at the highly regarded European Sports Business School in collaboration with Valencia C.F. This degree provides valuable insights through the likes of guest lecturers, industry expert panel discussions and behind-the-scenes access to various sporting events, offering a unique exposure to contemporary industry trends and a firsthand, unparalleled access to the inner workings of a top-tier football club.
Jack’s international outlook, combined with a distinctive blend of academic rigour and practical experience, offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the sports sponsorship ecosystem. His commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends aligns seamlessly with Halpin Sport Sponsorship’s ethos and offers a valuable perspective as he looks to navigate the intersection of sport and business in contributing to the continued success of the team and its clients.
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Dominic Doherty is based in the north west of England and has been working as a Football Sponsorship Consultant with Halpin Sport Sponsorship since July 2023.
Dominic is also a highly experienced UEFA B qualified football coach and alongside his role with Halpin, he works as a coach with the Everton FC academy - and has recently started his own football coaching business.
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Amit is a passionate, creative, and results-driven professional with nearly a decade of sales and new business development experience gained through various stints, by interacting with HNI and UHNI clients, network and channel partners, media and creative agencies.
His sole approach to sponsorship and partnership sales has been to 'find a need and fill the gap' thereby providing a suitable and mutually beneficial solution to the client.
Having worked with broadcasting leaders such as Star Sports (The Walt Disney Company), his expertise lies in finding the right partnership for brands across football properties.
Being a sportsperson himself, Amit has represented his school, city and state in various football tournaments.
In his free time, he enjoys traveling and watching sport, including football, cricket and badminton.
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Andrea discovered his passion for football at six years of age and committed himself to it wholeheartedly. He playe for various regional and interregional clubs in Italy and reached semi-professional level.
His journey took a turn when he had his inaugural behind-the-scenes experience as a sporting director for a local club where he had previously played. In this role, he managed the budget, selected players based on the coach’s requests, and negotiated their wages.
This pivotal experience fueled his ambition to embark on a career path in football. Driven by his passion, Andrea moved to London and enrolled in a Football Business degree at the University Wembley Campus. This educational endeavour reflects his commitment to acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the dynamic and competitive football industry. By combining academic insights with his real-world experiences, Andrea is poised to make a meaningful impact.
Andrea actively contributes to Halpin Sports Sponsorship, leveraging his multifaceted background, enthusiasm, and expertise. As an introducer, Andrea aims to forge valuable connections within the football industry and drive success for himself and the organisations he collaborates with.
His journey embraces the fusion of passion, education and practical experience as he strives to build a rewarding and lifelong career in football.
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Arjun is a marketing professional and Football Sponsorship Consultant with a First Class degree in Sports Business from the University Campus of Football Business (UCFB).
With four years of experience in the marketing and partnerships sector, Arjun has adeptly combined his passion for sports and marketing to carve a niche in promoting professional athletes and sports organisations.
Arjun's tenure as a freelance marketing manager has seen him elevate the digital presence of a diverse portfolio of clients, including FIFA licensed football agents, former and current professional athletes, and media agencies.
In addition to his marketing experience, Arjun has gained valuable insights into the sports industry through his role as a Talent ID & Recruitment Intern with Continuous Sports. Here, he was responsible for scouting and evaluating football talent across the Midlands, demonstrating an exceptional ability to analyse player performance with precision.
Arjun has also earned certifications in Digital Marketing from Google and Social Marketing from The Open University, among others. These qualifications have provided him with a solid foundation in digital marketing strategies, further enhancing his effectiveness in the field.
He focuses on understanding and fulfilling client needs. His commitment to professional growth and his adaptable marketing strategies makes him a valuable asset in the sports marketing and management fields.
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Paul was a keen athlete in his teenage years, competing in both football at Irish League clubs at youth level and Gaelic football. Paul was part of a Loughgall FC team at 16 that won the NIFL Championship and Bob Radcliffe Cup in Northern Ireland.
After completing a BSc in Psychology, Paul began working in tech recruitment as an Agency recruiter before moving in-house, currently working in the CyberSecurity industry. On top of this, Paul has worked part-time with the Irish FA, coordinating their Belfast Games Development programme over the last 3 years.
After working in recruitment for a number of years, Paul decided to follow a long held passion for sport & sport marketing, and returned to university to study an MSc in Sport Business Management.
From there, Paul worked as an intern, before becoming Market lead for UK&I Football with sponsorship data & insights platform, SponsorUnited. This role centred around building out SponsorUnited sponsorship data across the UK & Europe, focusing granularly on deals by asset & activation. Paul started with Halpin Sport Sponsorship in August 2023.
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Trevor has played football from a very young age.
He has continued to do so throughout into his adult years and has maintained his passion for and involvement in football, both on and off the pitch.
He already has several years of experience under his belt working as a football coach and scout.
As a Football Sponsorship Consultant with Halpin Sport Sponsorship, he enjoys collaborating with like-minded people on distinctive projects that help to shape football.
Trevor also has a keen interest in the details of partnerships between elite football clubs and their sponsors and partners - with a view to continually improving his knowledge of how a partnership or sponsorship with a professional football club can help the partner or sponsor achieve their marketing and business objectives.
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Sarah joined Halpin Sport Sponsorship as a Football Sponsorship Consultant at the beginning of January 2024, with a focus on helping the clubs we work with in Ireland find sponsors and official partners.
Sarah was a sports enthusiast from very early on in life. From the age of four, her passion for sport was evident as she was often found with a football or watching sport on TV. As well as football, a varied sporting background saw Sarah play Gaelic football and basketball, as well as being involved in athletics and rowing to a high level.
She has developed a curiosity and interest in a career in the sports business industry. Her diverse sporting background has helped her to become a resilient, adaptable and disciplined person - all key aspects of her role at Halpin Sport Sponsorship.
Sarah was presented with an opportunity for a placement with Halpin Sport Sponsorship as part of her University of Limerick third year programme - and has enabled he to apply theoretical knowledge and refine skills in an established business. Studying a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Health Fitness Management ensures a broad and unique understanding of the industry and its dynamics.
Her outlook on sports sponsorship and partnerships has been cultivated through her passion for sport and, as well as an understanding of the challenges and triumphs athletes face, Sarah is developing her knowledge of the industry while helping to match clubs in Ireland and across Europe with brands in worthwhile partnerships that will be beneficial for both parties.