Melissa Robertson has been appointed chief executive of Think Beyond, becoming the first person to lead the sport, social impact and sustainability consultancy in a dedicated CEO role.
The appointment comes as parent company Benchmark Sport Holdings restructures the business for its next phase of growth. Robertson will also take an equity stake in Think Beyond and will oversee the expansion of its advisory work with brands, rights holders and sports organizations. She will report to the Benchmark board, chaired by founder and chief executive Nick Keller, alongside London Mavericks owners Olivia Hall and Lucy Wray Mercey.
Think Beyond is part of Benchmark Sport Holdings, the London-based group whose portfolio also includes Beyond Sport and Sports Industry Group. The consultancy advises sports organizations, brands and rights holders on sustainability, social impact and commercial strategy.
Robertson joins from sports creative agency Dark Horses, where she served as chief executive, working with rights holders including the FA and sponsors including TikTok. During a 30-year career spanning advertising, branding and sport, she also founded creative agency Now and has worked with companies including Waitrose, BT and Ocado.
She will step down from advisory roles at Spike Sport and 3 Chillies to take up the new post, while continuing pro bono work as a trustee of the Women’s Sport Trust and a director of Menopause Mandate.
Think Beyond’s client roster includes several organizations familiar to SGI Europe readers, notably Liverpool FC, World Athletics, the FA, the IOC and the R&A, alongside Subway, Audible and Silverstone.
