Football Association CEO Mark Bullingham among sports industry guest speakers for students at GIS Welcome Week

Welcome Week at the Global Institute of Sport is set to give students a first look at the industry leaders shaping the global sports industry.

As part of our Welcome Week sessions, we are delighted to reveal the first guest speakers that students can look forward to hearing from:

Mark Bullingham: CEO of The Football Association – guest speaker at Wembley Stadium, 16^th September

Named CEO of The FA in 2019, Mark Bullingham is at the heart of English football, overseeing the organisation during a period of significant success for England’s national teams.

Most recently, Mark has overseen the England men’s team securing third place in the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, while the team previously reached the UEFA European Championship finals in 2021 and 2024. England’s Lionesses have won back-to-back UEFA Women’s European Championships in 2022 and 2025, while reaching the FIFA Women’s World Cup final in 2023 during Mark’s tenure.

Mark initially joined The FA in 2016 as Group Commercial Director, where he led the commercial and marketing functions of the organisation and oversaw a rise in annual revenue of more than £100 million.

He then became Chief Commercial & Football Development Officer in 2018 before progressing to his current role of CEO in 2019. He now leads the organisation as it works to develop and improve football across England.

Before joining The FA, Mark was Head of the UK and EMEA branches of Fuse Sport & Entertainment – one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment marketing agencies. During his time there, he led a rapidly growing business working with some of the world’s biggest brands.

During Welcome Week, GIS students will have the opportunity to hear how Mark’s career has taken him to the top of English football, what it’s like to lead The FA, and much more.

This exclusive session is open only to new students, current students and alumni. To book your place, please use the GIS London: In-Person Welcome Event at Wembley registration link sent to you via email, or contact events@gis.sport for booking information.

Jo Tongue MBE: Founder of Tongue Tied Media, Board Member of Women in Football – guest speaker at Wembley Stadium, 16^th September

With experience spanning media, football and talent management, Jo Tongue MBE is the founder of Tongue Tied Media, where she works with some of the biggest names across sport and entertainment.

Founded in 2016, Tongue Tied Media supports talent with commercial opportunities, sponsorship deals and career strategy. Jo has worked with clients including Jill Scott MBE, Andy Cole and Hayley McQueen, while also serving as a trustee of the Michael Carrick Foundation and the Jason Roberts Foundation.

Earlier in her career, Jo was a producer at the BBC from 2000–2009, before becoming a Director at Women in Football in 2010, a position she continues to hold today. In 2023, Jo was awarded an MBE for her contributions to football and gender equality in the New Year Honours List.

During Welcome Week, GIS students will have the opportunity to hear about Jo’s career across media and football, her experience working with leading sports talent, and the journey of building her own organisation within the sports industry.

Click here to book your place at our Sports Industry Guest Speaker & Networking Session, open to the public and featuring Jo Tongue alongside other guests from across the sports industry.

If you are a new student, current student or alumni and have already signed up for the GIS London: In-Person Welcome Event at Wembley, you do not need to register separately, as the masterclass is included in your welcome event.

James Rosengarten: General Manager of the Melbourne Stars – online guest speaker, 30^th September

James Rosengarten is General Manager of the Melbourne Stars, overseeing the club’s men’s and women’s teams across Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) and Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).

James joined the Melbourne Stars following five years as General Manager of the Melbourne Renegades, giving him extensive experience leading a professional sports organisation within the Big Bash Leagues. His role spans strategic direction, commercial strategy, sponsorship negotiations, partnerships and organisational leadership.

Alongside his role with the Melbourne Stars, James is also Chair of the Global Institute of Sport’s Industry Advisory Board, helping to provide valuable industry insight and expertise to support GIS and its students.

Before moving into professional cricket, James held senior roles across the sports and consumer industries, including General Manager – Legal & Strategy and General Counsel at the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and several senior positions at Mazda Australia.

During Welcome Week, GIS students will have the opportunity to hear directly from James about his experience leading professional sports organisations, his career journey across sport and business, and what it takes to succeed in the global sports industry.

This event will be listed on GIS.sport/events in the coming weeks. Check back soon for full details and booking information.

Welcome Week at GIS

With further exciting names to be announced soon, senior figures from across the sports industry will speak directly to our students, sharing their experiences, insights and advice.

If you’re joining GIS this September, our Welcome Week webinars will give you the opportunity to hear directly from the professionals shaping the industry you’ll learn about throughout your programme.