Elevate Sports Ventures Launches Talent Agency With SRI Acquisition

Elevate, a firm that works with more than 150 clients in the sports industry, has launched Elevate Talent following the acquisition of SRI, an executive search and talent optimization firm operating in 14 cities across North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

SRI has placed over 1,200 executives in the past 5-plus years for clients including every English Premier League Team, WTA Tour, World Rugby and more. The acquisition of SRI and launch of Elevate Talent signals a widening of Elevate’s offerings beyond sports and entertainment and into media, technology, gaming, fashion, lifestyle and more.

Since their founding in London in 2001, SRI’s team has supported over 1,000 organizations around the world. Jim Chaplin, formerly chief executive officer of SRI, will become global president of Elevate Talent.

“For the team at SRI, becoming part of Elevate feels like a perfect match,” Chaplin said. “We share a foundation in the world of sports and have used that particular vantage point to deliver for clients across a wide range of consumer-facing sectors. Our common experience, aligned to a rigorous, data-driven approach, gives us the tools to set organizations up for success.”

Elevate’s Chief People Officer Liz Moulton will serve as chairman. She joined Elevate last year from Activision Blizzard, where she oversaw all aspects of executive talent strategy, including succession planning and organizational design across three business units comprising over $8 billion in revenue.

The move both broadens Elevate’s global presence. Its client list includes the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Tennessee Titans, PGA Tour, Circuit of the Americas in Austin, the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Major League Baseball, the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, the National Hockey League and more.

“Elite businesses today — be they in sports, media, consumer goods or technology — need innovative leaders who will help them cut through the noise and resonate with customers in a crowded business landscape,” said Elevate Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Al Guido. “We are thrilled to welcome the SRI team on board and we are eager to begin collaborating with them as we supercharge our ability to serve clients around the world.”