Excel Sports Management is rebranding its executive search firm, Nolan Partners, to Excel Search & Advisory starting today.
Nolan Partners President Chad Biagini, who has been with the company for a decade, will remain president of Excel Search & Advisory as it enters the rebrand but has also been promoted to lead all the firm’s global business operations instead of only its U.S. operations. Former English Football Association and Wembley Stadium Group HR Dir Paul Nolan, who founded the firm in 2006, will stay on as executive chair. Stewart King will lead international business out of the U.K. as Managing Dir, International.
“Not everybody follows who acquires whom in their newsfeed. Now marks a really natural time to make sure it’s more obvious and connected externally,” Biagini told SBJ. “There are benefits to all of us being underneath one brand, because when we do good work for a client, or we’re reaching out on behalf of the marketplace, there’s a halo effect that is positive for Excel Sports Management.”
The company’s headcount has increased by 200% since Biagini joined three years ago, he said. It’s a necessity as it’s increased its global footprint in different categories like football and F1. “The organization has become increasingly international, and as I look at the future, it’s going to be even more global. We’ve started to represent athletes in even more areas. So bringing on a football agency, doing even more in women’s sports, I don’t see that slowing down,” Biagini said.
Most recently, Excel Search & Advisory helped fill roles such as the Texans president, Pistons president, Arizona Cardinals COO, Chelsea’s chief revenue officer and Arsenal’s women’s head coach. Excel Sports acquired Nolan Partners in 2022.
