Commercial Director Jarvis explains new initiative
Huddersfield Town’s Commercial Director Sean Jarvis has today explained that the Club will soon be in a position to implement a new International Development programme, which has been in the planning stages for the last two years.
The appointment of the Club’s first International Development Manager, Ajin Abraham, was a significant step in bringing the programme to fruition.
Town’s efforts at expanding into new areas of the globe will differ to traditional international efforts that other football clubs have tried in the past, as Sean explained to htafc.com today.
“Our International Development programme has been in the planning stages for roughly 24 months now, with lots of work going on behind the scenes and away from the public eye – particularly as we have targeted specific areas of the world that fit with Huddersfield Town and our plans.
“We now feel the time is right to give our supporters a flavour of our approach and what we are seeking to achieve as a Club, because there are some very exciting developments that will start to get off the ground over the next few weeks.
“I want to make it clear that our plans are not about the Club trying to sign players from abroad under the cloak of international expansion. That is not my remit at the Club and I am happy to leave recruitment to our experts; Ross Wilson, Simon Grayson and our extensive team of scouts.
“We’ve also looked at the model other football clubs have used when trying to expand into international territories. These are often merchandise driven – basically building a new fan-base in order to sell shirts – and this is not for us either.
“Our International Development programme is based on three core pillars; football, business and the community working together. When we analysed our positioning in our international development efforts, we had to ask ourselves the question: what are our strengths and what do we work best at that could be translated on an international scale?
"Our ethos has always been about being different, innovative and doing the right thing to make a difference. At the end of the day, our core business is football, but at the same time we are also a business and a lynchpin of the community. We will work with the same ethos and the same vision internationally.
"In developed footballing countries, our International Development programme will be centred around exchanging best practices, knowledge transfer etc. with partner football clubs. In developing football countries, our programme will be centred around working at grassroots levels. It’s important for the Club to continue to expand and grow.
“Our programme aims to help our commercial partners expand to other areas of the globe and reach international markets to grow their businesses. Week in, week out there are increasingly frequent examples of British businesses expanding their networks globally – the world is shrinking in that sense – and the business side of the football club is no different.
“The power of our football brand is the vehicle that helps open doors for trade for our partners; the world is interested in football! Ironically, this ability will probably make us a more appealing prospect to domestic companies who already, or would like to, trade abroad.
"Lastly, we have always taken the effort to ‘do the right thing’ - and we would continue to do so when we set foot abroad. We want to make a positive difference in the communities we work with internationally and we are calling out for supporters, commercial partners and other individuals alike to support us in this venture.
“We will be spreading the word to businesses overseas about what we’re doing at Huddersfield Town – our ethos, core values and work in the community.
“As with all new ventures there is an element of uncertainty attached to this programme, but we will leave no stone unturned in order to make this long-term plan work.”
Huddersfield Town has already secured its first ‘international’ business partner, which will be announced over the coming weeks, but if you believe this new programme is of interest to your business please contact International Development Manager Ajin Abraham via ajin.abraham@htafc.com or call 01484 484173.
