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Chris Bird

CEO

Sports Tours International/Sports Travel International

Manchester, UK

Chris Bird

Cians Analytics

Oxenwood Real Estate

Chris Bird’s Biography

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Chris Bird heads Sports Tours International as their Chief Executive Officer. He is a leader in business and sports, and widely considered a media, PR & communications authority.

A top sports tour operator in Europe, his vision for the company is to be recognised as the fastest growing active lifestyle group in the world. Chris is credited for the company’s major milestones and expansion over the years, having grown four-fold since he has been at the helm.

His media career started in 1982, working in commercial radio and regional newspaper sales. Inspirationally, he now holds the position of Executive Chairman for Quest Media Network, owner of the newspaper he delivered as a boy. After meeting Fred Done, Sports Tours International and Betfred owner, at the 2003 BBC Sports Awards, Chris was offered the position of Media, PR & Development Adviser to Betfred. Four years later, Chris presented an innovative strategy for the future of Sports Tours Int which led to his appointment as CEO.

A PR expert with strong strategic and commercial direction, Chris served as COO of Manchester... Chris Bird heads Sports Tours International as their Chief Executive Officer. He is a leader in business and sports, and widely considered a media, PR & communications authority.

A top sports tour operator in Europe, his vision for the company is to be recognised as the fastest growing active lifestyle group in the world. Chris is credited for the company’s major milestones and expansion over the years, having grown four-fold since he has been at the helm.

His media career started in 1982, working in commercial radio and regional newspaper sales. Inspirationally, he now holds the position of Executive Chairman for Quest Media Network, owner of the newspaper he delivered as a boy. After meeting Fred Done, Sports Tours International and Betfred owner, at the 2003 BBC Sports Awards, Chris was offered the position of Media, PR & Development Adviser to Betfred. Four years later, Chris presented an innovative strategy for the future of Sports Tours Int which led to his appointment as CEO.

A PR expert with strong strategic and commercial direction, Chris served as COO of Manchester City, where his negotiations were crucial in securing major commercial and sponsorship agreements that were highly profitable for the club. This includes their swoop into the lucrative Chinese market as a bid to capitalise on defender Jihai Sun’s popularity. Chris joined Manchester City as a freelance PR Consultant before he was appointed as the Chairman’s Assistant. His spectacular rise from freelancer to COO reflects that of the club, climbing from Division 2 to English football's top tier, the Premier League.

Chris founded and runs his own PR agency, The Bird Consultancy. After celebrating 30 years in PR in 2020, Chris is convinced that ‘small is the new big’ and that limitless minds are the driving force of communications. He is the Founder and Trustee of The Running Bee Foundation and actively participates in challenges inspiring communities to lead a healthy and active life. moreless

Chris Bird’s Newsfeed

Quest Media Network

Conservatory Campaign nears target as future planting plans take roots

Chairman of Quest Media Network, Chris Bird, had previously donated £5,000 to the 'Save Stamford Park Conservatory Group' to help them on their way to their target amount needed to investigate the structural problems of the building and to secure it for future generations. Alongside this, the local community has been encouraged to get involved with the planting and sharing of edibles and herbs.

Quest Media Network

Watch: City and England Star Raheem Supports Local Youth Centre

During our visit we spoke to Bird Consultancy CEO and Former Manchester City COO Chris Bird about the idea behind the event and Raheem’s influence in making it a success.

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Chris Bird’s Background

Raheem Sterling Foundation

CEO

Jan 2022 - Present

Manchester, UK

Chris is the first CEO of the newly launched Raheem Sterling Foundation and has contributed to the creation of a business plan and will work towards delivering the objectives as set by Raheem: Education, Employment, Creativity and Social Mobility

EQ Esports & Gaming

Founder

Oct 2021 - Present

Ashton-under-Lyne, UK

EQ Esports & Gaming aims to create life-changing growth and learning opportunities for young people through gaming and esports. .

Sports Tours International

CEO

Apr 2007 - Present

Manchester, UK

Sports Tours International is a sports tour operator renowned as a first choice for travelling sports partakers of all levels and supporters of sporting events, especially in Europe.

Sports Travel International

CEO

Apr 2007 - Present

Swords, IE

Sports Travel Interntional is the Irish arm of Sports Tours International.

The Bird Consultancy Ltd

Founder and CEO

Sep 1990 - Present

Manchester, UK

The Bird Consultancy is an experienced Manchester-based communications agency providing PR, social media, events management and digital design.

Manchester City F.C.

Chief Operating Officer

Apr 1998 - Mar 2003

Manchester, UK

Manchester City Football Club is an English football club based in Manchester. The club plays in the Premier League, the top division of English football.

Manchester City F.C.

Chairman's Assistant

Manchester, UK

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Chris Bird’s Gallery

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Current Board Positions

Quest Media Network

Executive Chairman

Feb 2019 - Present

Manchester, UK

Quest Media Network is based in the Tameside community and the owner of the The Oldham Reporter, The Tameside Reporter, The Glossop Chronicle and Tameside Radio.

Previous Board Positions

JD Sports plc

Non-Executive Director

Manchester, UK

JD Sports plc is a leading sports and trainer fashion retailer in the UK.

Previous Advisory Roles

Betfred

Media Advisor

Warrington, UK

Betfred is a bookmaker and online gaming business, with its head office in Warrington in the United Kingdom.

Philanthropy

The Running Bee Foundation

Founder and Trustee

Manchester, UK

The Running Bee Foundation hopes to challenge childhood obesity and was launched to improve the health and well-being of local residents through the creation of running events.

Media

BusinessCloud

Media Appearance - "Chris Bird on battling depression having lost a parent at the hands of Harold Shipman""

Apr 2018

Manchester, UK

In this moving video, Chris bravely opens up about the death of his mother, and the subsequent depression he battled following her untimely passing. Filmed 25 years on from Violet's death, Chris was one of 10 entrepreneurs to speak at 'Entrepreneurs and Mental Health', an event organised by BusinessCloud.