Refresh is a sports consultancy and production agency.

We are diverse. We generate ideas. We deliver. We live our definition; “give new strength or energy to; reinvigorate”, and have a proven reputation for delivering to the highest standards. We are proud to offer an unrivalled service to those who come to us for our creativity, competence and wide array of senior connections across the sports industry.

Communication is at the heart of everything we do. Making good decisions is what our business is all about – and we get no greater pleasure than seeing our clients prosper as a result.

Our job at Refresh is to work with clients to clearly identify their goals and aims, put in place a strategy with deliverables and then make it happen. As our clients succeed, our reputation grows. So you can be sure that you will always have a highly motivated team behind you.

We believe the sports and media industries can be so much better than they currently are. And at the heart of what will make this improvement a reality is increasing diversity. 

Increasing diversity in on and offscreen talent, the range and tone of content and how events – online and in person – are brought to life. 

Empowering athletes, brands and authorities to share their diverse stories of success and positive change is also where we specialise in as a company. 

Refresh has already been a key player in helping our industries develop and improve their performance. 

We are excited about the future and our role in getting there. 

We believe the sports and media industries can be so much better than they currently are. And at the heart of what will make this improvement a reality is increasing diversity.

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Increasing diversity in on and offscreen talent, the range and tone of content and how events – online and in person – are brought to life. 

Empowering athletes, brands and authorities to share their diverse stories of success and positive change is also where we specialise in as a company. 

Refresh has already been a key player in helping our industries develop and improve their performance. 

We are excited about the future and our role in getting there. 

Refresh has an established team with a wide range of experience who are all passionate about what we do.

Leon Mann, MBE

FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR

Leon is one of the most respected and well connected operators in the sports industry.

He began his career at Kick Racism Out of Football in 2002, before establishing himself as a leading broadcaster and film-maker for both BBC Sport and ITV Sport. As a consultant, he has worked with some of the biggest names in the sports industry and also helped respected sports authorities communicate effectively with their audiences.

Leon is a founder of the Black Collective of Media in Sport, Football Black List and the Sports People’s Think Tank – he is also the vice chair of the Sports Journalists Association.

He is an innovator and passionate leader who has dedicated his professional career to helping to improve the sport and media industries.

Leon is one of the most respected and well connected operators in the sports industry.

He began his career at Kick Racism Out of Football in 2002, before establishing himself as a leading broadcaster and film-maker for both BBC Sport and ITV Sport. As a consultant, he has worked with some of the biggest names in the sports industry and also helped respected sports authorities communicate effectively with their audiences.

Leon is a founder of the Black Collective of Media in Sport, Football Black List and the Sports People’s Think Tank – he is also the vice chair of the Sports Journalists Association.

He is an innovator and passionate leader who has dedicated his professional career to helping to improve the sport and media industries.

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Joe Larkin

SOCIAL AND DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER

Joe is the lead for all things digital at Refresh, planning and delivering digital content strategies and social media management for a diverse range of Refresh clients.

He has a proven track record of growing social media accounts and increasing engagement – his portfolio includes work for TNT Sports, Eurosport, PGMOL, Yaya Touré and The Football Association.

Joe also leads the digital strategy for the Refresh events portfolio, including the UEFA MIP International Conference, PGMOL Breaking Barriers and The Football Black List.

Joe is proficient in a range of software, including Streamyard, Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X.

Prior to joining Refresh, Joe graduated from the University of Birmingham with a Masters in Strategic Management and was part of the Postgraduate Future Leaders Programme, and previously attained a First Class Honours degree in Sport Business Management.

Joe is the lead for all things digital at Refresh, planning and delivering digital content strategies and social media management for a diverse range of Refresh clients.

He has a proven track record of growing social media accounts and increasing engagement – his portfolio includes work for TNT Sports, Eurosport, PGMOL, Yaya Touré and The Football Association.

Joe also leads the digital strategy for the Refresh events portfolio, including the UEFA MIP International Conference, PGMOL Breaking Barriers and The Football Black List.

Joe is proficient in a range of software, including Streamyard, Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X.

Prior to joining Refresh, Joe graduated from the University of Birmingham with a Masters in Strategic Management and was part of the Postgraduate Future Leaders Programme, and previously attained a First Class Honours degree in Sport Business Management.

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Lauren Ferdinand

TALENT & EVENTS CONSULTANT

Lauren works across the talent portfolio, assisting and helping to manage our client accounts. She also assists with PR across several clients, helping to build relationships and ensuring our diverse range of clients gain publicity in publications such as Forbes, Sporf and The Voice. 

Lauren has also led and assisted on our events, with a focus on the Football Black List 2021 online celebration.

Lauren works across the talent portfolio, assisting and helping to manage our client accounts. She also assists with PR across several clients, helping to build relationships and ensuring our diverse range of clients gain publicity in publications such as Forbes, Sporf and The Voice. 

Lauren has also led and assisted on our events, with a focus on the Football Black List 2021 online celebration.

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Mia Lazaro

EVENTS COORDINATOR

Mia works as the Events Coordinator at Refresh Sports. 

Her responsibilities include organising events, and supervising both social and promotional sessions for the Football Black List and PGMOL Breaking Barriers events, entertaining our target audiences.

Mia is also a freelance journalist specialising in women’s football, and an award winning Arsenal ambassador for the anti-sexism campaign Her Game Too. She holds an industry recognised NCTJ media qualification.

Additionally, Mia’s multi-ethnic background presents communication ability in English, Russian, French and Spanish, allowing effective conversations.

Mia works as the Events Coordinator at Refresh Sports. 

Her responsibilities include organising events, and supervising both social and promotional sessions for the Football Black List and PGMOL Breaking Barriers events, entertaining our target audiences.

Mia is also a freelance journalist specialising in women’s football, and an award winning Arsenal ambassador for the anti-sexism campaign Her Game Too. She holds an industry recognised NCTJ media qualification.

Additionally, Mia’s multi-ethnic background presents communication ability in English, Russian, French and Spanish, allowing effective conversations.

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Mert Ahmet

TEAM ASSISTANT

Mert is the Team Assistant at Refresh Sports. His primary responsibilities include efficiently managing Leon Mann’s schedule and offering assistance to team members as needed.

Mert has an impressive track record in the field of social media and serves as the creative force behind the popular Anfield Club on Instagram. He holds a Multimedia Sports Journalism degree from UCFB Wembley, underlining his commitment to the field. 

Furthermore, Mert’s diverse background as an individual of Turkish Cypriot origin equips him with fluency in both English and Turkish, facilitating effective communication.

Mert is the Team Assistant at Refresh Sports. His primary responsibilities include efficiently managing Leon Mann’s schedule and offering assistance to team members as needed.

Mert has an impressive track record in the field of social media and serves as the creative force behind the popular Anfield Club on Instagram. He holds a Multimedia Sports Journalism degree from UCFB Wembley, underlining his commitment to the field. 

Furthermore, Mert’s diverse background as an individual of Turkish Cypriot origin equips him with fluency in both English and Turkish, facilitating effective communication.

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Drew Christie

PRODUCTION CONSULTANT

Drew is an experienced, international award-winning senior producer and journalist.

Over his 20+ year career, he has written, produced and directed content for elite broadcasters and companies in Britain and the Middle East, including BBC News, BBC Sport, Endemol, Abu Dhabi Media, Sport360, Aurora Media Worldwide, News UK and Discovery.

Drew has taken the lead on a slew of content projects for Refresh, including as Series Producer and Writer of ‘Trailblazers’ for Eurosport, Producer/Director of ‘England, Black + Proud’ for the Football Association and leading on content for PFATV.

Chair of the Black Collective of Media in Sport (BCOMS), he is committed to helping drive positive change in the equity, diversity and inclusion of the UK sports media.

Drew is an experienced, international award-winning senior producer and journalist.

Over his 20+ year career, he has written, produced and directed content for elite broadcasters and companies in Britain and the Middle East, including BBC News, BBC Sport, Endemol, Abu Dhabi Media, Sport360, Aurora Media Worldwide, News UK and Discovery.

Drew has taken the lead on a slew of content projects for Refresh, including as Series Producer and Writer of ‘Trailblazers’ for Eurosport, Producer/Director of ‘England, Black + Proud’ for the Football Association and leading on content for PFATV.

Chair of the Black Collective of Media in Sport (BCOMS), he is committed to helping drive positive change in the equity, diversity and inclusion of the UK sports media.

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Georgina Chadwick

Journalist and Content Creator

Georgina works as a Journalist and Content Creator at Refresh Sports.

Her responsibilities include researching, interviewing and co-writing the monthly newsletter and being a company representative at industry events such as the Football Black List and PGMOL Breaking Barriers.

Georgina is also a freelance presenter, specialising in football and swimming, and has previously worked for companies such as BBC Sport and The FA. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Television and Radio Production.

Georgina works as a Journalist and Content Creator at Refresh Sports.

Her responsibilities include researching, interviewing and co-writing the monthly newsletter and being a company representative at industry events such as the Football Black List and PGMOL Breaking Barriers.

Georgina is also a freelance presenter, specialising in football and swimming, and has previously worked for companies such as BBC Sport and The FA. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Television and Radio Production.

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