Mark Whitehead

Founder, Owner & Consultant

MMS Consultancy

London, UK

Edward White

Edward White & Co., LLP

Jonny Wilkinson

No.1 Living

Mark’s Biography

Mark Whitehead is the Founder & Owner of MMS Consultancy which offers business advisory services, predominantly in the sports, media and entertainment sectors.

An experienced CEO, entrepreneur and investor, Mark originally trained and practised as a corporate M&A lawyer in the City before moving into the sports industry in various executive positions. Mark was CEO of market-leading sports law specialists Couchmans LLP for 8 years, and subsequently CEO of divisions within the Virgin Group and global marketing agency CSM Sport & Entertainment.

Mark has created, bought and sold a number of companies and has a wide range of domain expertise in both B2B and B2C environments; he is now a trusted advisor to several businesses on matters ranging from strategy and investment to business structures and management support.

Mark is currently Non-Executive Chairman of leading cinema group Backyard Cinema and of The Running Channel, the world’s fastest growing online community of runners. Mark Whitehead is the Founder & Owner of MMS Consultancy which offers business advisory services, predominantly in the sports, media and entertainment sectors.

An experienced CEO, entrepreneur and investor, Mark originally trained and practised as a corporate M&A lawyer in the City before moving into the sports industry in various executive positions. Mark was CEO of market-leading sports law specialists Couchmans LLP for 8 years, and subsequently CEO of divisions within the Virgin Group and global marketing agency CSM Sport & Entertainment.

Mark has created, bought and sold a number of companies and has a wide range of domain expertise in both B2B and B2C environments; he is now a trusted advisor to several businesses on matters ranging from strategy and investment to business structures and management support.

Mark is currently Non-Executive Chairman of leading cinema group Backyard Cinema and of The Running Channel, the world’s fastest growing online community of runners.

Mark’s Background

MMS Consultancy

Founder, Owner & Consultant

May 2019 - Present

London, UK

MMS Consultancy was established by Mark to provide advisory services to growth businesses in the sports, media and entertainment sectors. Recent work includes leading Backyard Cinema to a major investment from Sony Music Entertainment; leading an investment fundraise on behalf of The Running Channel and leading an investment fundraise to bring to market 'Newlane', a revolutionary new cycle helmet.

CSM Sport & Entertainment

Founder, Director & CEO of Active Division; Member of Group Senior Leadership Team

Jun 2016 - May 2019

London, UK

CSM is a global sports marketing agency with over 1,000 employees in 18 countries. Mark established and ran a new division within the agency aimed at creating new event IP. As a divisional CEO, Mark was also a member of the Group Senior Leadership Team.

Virgin Sport (Achieve Events)

Founder, Director & CEO

2013 - 2016

London, UK

Achieve Events was founded after the 2012 Olympics by Mark Whitehead with Sir Clive Woodward as Chairman. It quickly became one of the most successful consumer participation businesses in the United Kingdom and was subsequently sold to the Virgin Group in 2014.

Couchmans LLP

Co-Owner & CEO

2004 - 2012

London, UK

Mark led Couchmans from start-up to become one of the United Kingdom's pre-eminent sports and media law firms. Under his leadership, Couchmans worked with a long list of prominent clients, including the FA Premier League, ATP, FIFA, Nike and many elite sportspeople. Couchmans is now part of City law firm Charles Russell Speechlys.

World Sport Group

Group Business Affairs Manager & General Manager, Global Cricket Corporation

2000 - 2003

Singapore, SG

World Sport Group was a global sports marketing, event management and media company which is now part of the Lagardère Group. Mark was Group Business Affairs Manager before becoming the General Manager of WSG subsidiary GCC (a joint venture with NewsCorp), the company which held the $550m commercial rights contract for the Cricket World Cup 2003-2007.

Townleys

Associate & Head of Commercial Department

1997 - 2000

London, UK

In the 1990s Townleys was the United Kingdom's leading specialist sports law practice headed by sports law pioneer Steven Townley. The firm worked with many high-profile clients including Rugby World Cup, ITF, UEFA, International Rugby Board and Formula One. During his time working with Steven, Mark headed up the commercial team and worked on major projects such as Rugby World Cup 1999.

Denton Wilde Sapte

Solicitor, Corporate Finance and M&A

1993 - 1997

London, UK

Mark trained and practised as a corporate M&A lawyer at Denton Wilde Sapte (now Dentons). Dentons is one of the biggest and most successful law firms in the world with multijurisdictional capabilities and a network of highly experienced corporate lawyers across the world in over 50 countries.

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Current Board Positions

Backyard Cinema Ltd

Non-Executive Chairman

London, UK

Part of the Sony Group, Backyard Cinema is the UK’s leading experiential cinema business, creating unique, immersive cinematic experiences for a hugely loyal base of followers. Mark advises the Board as the business seeks to grow and expand from its London base.

The Running Channel Ltd

Non-Executive Chairman

London, UK

The Running Channel is the world’s fastest-growing online community of runners. Mark led a hugely successful investment fundraise for the Company in early 2020 and continues to advise the Board and Shareholders as the business enters its next phase of development.