Fnatic’s chief gaming officer Patrik “cArn” Sättermon (left) and ESL UK co-MD Spike Laurie (right) have been included in a list of sports industry leaders.
They have been recognised by the Sport Industry NextGen programme, which celebrates young leaders in traditional sport – and now esports.
They join others aged around 30 years old recognised across sport for ‘responsible leadership’, including talent from Arsenal, Adidas, Fulham, British Athletics, UFC and more.
A year-round programme will give the NextGen Leaders support for future leadership roles, including a business support package, networking opportunities, personal development and mentoring.
“Having Patrik and Spike representing esports in a group of Sport Industry NextGen Leaders highlights how competitive gaming is now a core part of the wider sector.”
Alex Coulson, Sport Industry Group
A celebration evening will take place on February 2nd, which will introduce this year’s group of young leaders, and feature talks from Watford FC captain Troy Deeney, writer and strategist Alastair Campbell, CEO Commonwealth Games Federation David Grevemberg, communications and brand strategy expert and Sport England board member Kate Bosomworth, among others.
Alex Coulson, executive director at Sport Industry Group, told Esports News UK: “Patrik and Spike are two standout examples from a rising and creative talent pool coming from the esports industry.
“Having them representing esports in a group of Sport Industry NextGen Leaders that come from leading brands, marketing agencies, clubs and rights holders highlights how competitive gaming is now a core part of the wider sector and I’m sure other areas of the industry can learn from their experience and vice versa.
“We’re excited to see how this network can build on that momentum moving forward.”
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
