Nolan Partners has been acquired by Excel Sports Management

March 2022 — Nolan Partners Limited, a specialist executive search firm focused exclusively on the global sports, entertainment and related sectors, has been sold to Excel Sports Management, LLC, a US-based, industry-leading sports agency that represents iconic talent, blue chip brands and marquee properties.

Nolan Partners is an executive search business focused on c-suite roles across the sports sector, including the English Premier League and European football clubs. Nolan Partners has been helping sports, media and entertainment clients find talented leadership and performance executives for 15 years, having completed more than 1,000 placements across six continents and 30 sports.

Excel Sports Management is an industry-leading management and marketing agency offering an elite level of expertise, influence, access and insights across the sports landscape. This transaction marks Excel’s first footprint in Europe and will form a key pillar of its international growth strategy.

Our role in the transaction

Oaklins Cavendish, based in the UK, advised Nolan Partners on the sale of the business to Excel Sports Management.

Service

M&A sell-side

Parties

“Over the last 16 years, we’ve grown to become the biggest search firm in the world dedicated to executive search in sports and entertainment, working in partnership with brands and wonderful clients across more than 20 countries and in every major sports league. Today, we join with Excel, enhancing our ability to see our clients achieve their fullest potential both on and off the field. The Oaklins Cavendish team played a critical role in helping us to secure the right partner and home for our business. The team’s recruitment sector expertise and commitment throughout the deal was second to none, I would have no hesitation in recommending them to other business owners considering M&A.”

Paul Nolan

Founder & CEO, Nolan Partners Limited

Talk to the deal team

Peter Gray

Partner

London, United Kingdom
Oaklins Cavendish

View profile Get in touch

Paris McNicol-Outch

Director

London, United Kingdom
Oaklins Cavendish

View profile Get in touch

Related deals

360 Experience Group has merged with GoodFellows

Broadcasting, Streaming & Entertainment | Events | Marketing Services

360 Experience Group has merged with GoodFellows

360 Experience Group, a European end-to-end service provider of live experiences, and GoodFellows have merged to create one of the largest live experiences players in Europe. By pooling their strengths under the 360 Experience Group banner, the merged group will span the full breadth of the live industry and bring together 16 specialized companies, including Live Legends, Unlimited Productions, Unbranded, TIG Sports and Events and Kumpany. The group will provide end-to-end solutions for the realization of large-scale live entertainment, international sports and public events and impactful brand activations. The combined business will generate over US$90 million in revenue and employ more than 230 people.

Learn more

Rare Patient Voice has been acquired by Konovo

Healthcare Communications & Technology | Insights & Analytics | Marketing Services | Software & Technology

Rare Patient Voice has been acquired by Konovo

Rare Patient Voice has been acquired by Konovo, a technology-first healthcare intelligence company backed by Fraser Healthcare Partners.

Learn more

Strikeforce has acquired Retail Safari from CPM Australia

Marketing Services

Strikeforce has acquired Retail Safari from CPM Australia

Strikeforce AMC Pty. Ltd. has acquired Retail Activation Pty. Ltd., known as Retail Safari, from CPM Australia Pty. Ltd. The acquisition represents a strong strategic fit for Strikeforce, expanding the group’s presence across adjacent retail channels in consumer electronics, telecoms and financial services, as well as enhancing its field activation and consumer marketing capabilities.

Learn more