The Pools appoints Sharon Wright as Marketing Director
British betting brand The Pools has named former Nike, Adidas and Reebok executive Sharon Wright as its new Marketing Director ahead of a planned 2025 growth push.
The Pools has confirmed the appointment of Sharon Wright as Marketing Director, tasking her with leading a new brand campaign and multi-channel marketing strategy as part of a growth drive planned for 2025.
Wright brings experience from senior finance, customer experience, sales and marketing roles at major sportswear brands. She joined the Adidas Group in 2009 before becoming Reebok’s Global Go-to-Market Director in 2013, where she oversaw the UK launch of the Reebok-Crossfit partnership and the global rollout of the Reebok-Les Mills partnership. Earlier in her career, she contributed to growing the women’s business at both Nike and Adidas to the top position in the UK and Ireland.
In 2017, Wright founded her own consultancy, Sports Business Growth, and has more recently focused on technology in sport, particularly apps and subscription models. She currently chairs Powerplay The Future, which connects investors with female-led sports startups, and sits on the Advisory Board of Everything in Sport.
Reporting lines and strategic role
At The Pools, Wright will work closely with chief executive James Arnold and report to chief operating officer Steve Talbot. Her recruitment follows the company’s move to modernise its technical infrastructure, including a switch to a new gaming platform and a website relaunch expected by the end of the year.
Arnold said the company had been seeking fresh marketing thinking to support its 2025 rebrand and relaunch, pointing to Wright’s background in growth strategy at global sporting brands as a key factor in her appointment.
Wright described the move as an opportunity to help restore an established brand to prominence, noting the forthcoming campaign is intended to blend the company’s heritage with a modern customer offering.
About The Pools
The Pools is the rebranded identity of The Football Pools, which marked its 100th anniversary in 2023. The brand has historic significance in the UK market as a precursor to the National Lottery and the first operator to offer a multimillion-pound jackpot. Alongside its pools betting product, the company offers lotto, sports betting, casino and free-to-play games.