Dr Michael Linley

Michael is a Senior Research Fellow in Sport Strategy, and has more than 20 years of international consulting experience leading client engagements with a specialist international advisory firm. 

His deep interest in the interconnections between cities, events and sports is reflected in his research on the assessment of event legacies and the shifting value across economic, media, sport, brand, social and environmental dimensions – and in particular building and capturing the intangible value for stakeholders including communities, hosts and owners. 

In planning and assessing how to maximise value and impact, he has worked with government investment and tourism agencies, national sporting organisations, sports funding authorities, major event agencies and researched international sports events, including FIFA World Cup, Rugby World Cup, and Commonwealth Games. 

Michael's background in both operational and strategic development roles has underpinned the focus on designing practical and execution-focussed solutions to complex issues.  He has worked with on projects in the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, USA, Australia and NZ, for government, cities, sports and sporting events, banking and airlines. Originally a scientist by background, Michael also holds an MBA in international business, and has pursued further specialisations in futures thinking and scenario planning at Oxford University.