I work with ... golfer Sir Nick Faldo on building his global business.

AuthorJones-Smythe, Jason

Start date 2004 End date ongoing

For the past eight years I have been working for Sir Nick Faldo, Britain's greatest ever golfer, and his group of companies. Faldo Design is a leading golf course architectural practice that has designed 28 courses in countries as diverse as China, Australia, Vietnam, Egypt and the Dominican Republic. The company charges around $1m for the design and use of Sir Nick's name and image in marketing for the courses.

The second area is Faldo Enterprises, an umbrella for Sir Nick's wider commercial interests, including a watch deal with Audemars Piguet, an ambassadorship with TaylorMade-Adidas Golf and a licensing deal with Marriott Hotels for Faldo Golf Schools situated across the US. Sir Nick is also the lead analyst for both CBS and the Golf Channel. A third leg is the Faldo Series, a licensed charity that organises tournaments in 28 countries to identify and nurture the next generation of golf champions.

I started as office manager and book-keeper, before being made finance manager in 2007 after undertaking a sports science degree and postgraduate course in sports law. I took the CIMA qualification after Sir Nick agreed to support me, as he has always stressed that he is keen to help people who want to help themselves.

The CIMA qualification has proved invaluable, especially in understanding areas of foreign exchange. We are paid...

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