With two months to go to the kick off of the inaugural BUAFL season, The BUAFL has strengthened its interim management team with the key appointment of Dr. Elesa Argent as Head of Research and Development, with responsibility for overseeing the development of the BUAFL's strategic plan.
Interim Chief Executive Andy Fuller commented “I'm thrilled to enhance our interim management team with such an exciting and high calibre appointment. The BUAFL is committed to ensuring that we engage fully with all stakeholders in the Higher Education sector to establish what the potential of our sport is and what we need to do in order to realise that potential.
Dr. Argent has a wealth of experience in conducting research and has well developed relationships with a breadth of people both in the UK and internationally whose input could add tremendous value to the consultation process.”
Dr. Argent added “Sports are benefiting from working closely with HEIs more so now than ever before. I am looking forward to establishing a research framework which enables us to identify a series of key targets for the development of the university game and establish the systems, structures and programmes necessary to meet those targets. Over the forthcoming months I look forward to meeting with those students, coaches and team managers currently involved with the sport and whose input will be central to my research.”
Dr. Argent will take up her post in a voluntary capacity at the beginning of September.
Dr. Argent Selected Career Highlights:
Dr. Argent has a Ph.D. in Sport Science from Loughborough University, an MSc in Exercise and Health Behaviour, a Postgraduate Diploma in E-Business and a Bachelors Degree in Business Studies. Her recent publications include Developing Leaders through Sport published and edited by the International Olympic Academy and An Econometric Analysis of Panel Data for Team Performance, Market Characteristics, and Attendance in the English Premier League in the Journal of Business and Leadership.
Her academic presentations include:
· EASM Conference, Gateshead 2005 Pre Congress Research Synthesis
· EASM Conference, Gateshead 2005, Does Collegiate Sport Develop the Leaders of Tomorrow?
· NASSM Conference, Regina, 2005 From The Locker Room to the Boardroom: Developing Leaders Through Sport
· NASSM Conference, Regina, 2005 Researching the Sport Business Metaphor
· EASM Conference, Ghent, 2004 From The Locker Room to the Boardroom: Developing Leaders Through Sport: A Systematic Review
· Presentation as a participant of the 2003 International Olympic Academy, 11th IOA Post Graduate Session.
Dr. Argent has also worked as Head of Operations EMEA for an Investment Banking Consultancy where she managed the London and Johannesburg offices and oversaw the development of academic initiatives in South Africa.