Richard Evans joined the Birkbeck Sport Business Centre PhD programme as a student with a research interest in the area of the financial regulation of football clubs. Richard trained as an economist (BA, York; MSc, London School of Economics) before becoming a management consultant (Coopers & Lybrand). His range of assignments included reviewing the strategic plan of a UK motor manufacturer, advising a UK political party on the economic integrity of their electoral pledges, creating an input-output model of the Nigerian economy and researching markets as diverse as household furnishings in China and bedpans in Liverpool. He then moved into the IT industry (Unisys UK) where, initially, Richard led an internal management consulting team focused on redesigning internal operational processes and systems. He also provided analysis and recommendations for the Board to make changes to the marketing approach and organisation structure of the local business. It led to a role at the European Headquarters to work with the management teams in other European operations and facilitate similar change. Following completion of this assignment, Richard took a direct sales position in the team selling to telecommunications operators in the UK. He progressed to manage a European regional team. From there he moved to lead European sales teams for more specialised providers of IT systems for telecommunications operators. Richard represented the 6,000 Platinum members at the Arsenal Supporters’ Forum for two years. He has also managed a local youth football team. He is interested in developing a theoretical understanding of the Financial Fair Play regulations introduced by UEFA.
