A Community Built On Trust & Transparency
Our Admissions & Ethics Committee
Our Mission.
It can be very hard for Professional Athletes and Entertainers to know who to trust in their industry and beyond.
We have assembled a committee of experts in a wide range of fields to review any applications to join the AxisStars Community to ensure that they are suitable and trusted.
LEGAL & GOVERNANCE
Sarah Solémalé
Sarah is a lawyer from Paris. A graduate of Paris-1 Panthéon Sorbonne University in Business Law, of Shanghai Normal University in Chinese Law & Economics and the University of Zurich in International Sports Law. Since 2013, Sarah has been at Fédération Internationale Football-Association (FIFA) in Zurich. Starting in the Players’ Status Department as Legal Counsel in charge of transfers of players and contractual disputes between football stakeholders. She also represented FIFA before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in her capacity of litigator. Since 2018, Sarah has been in charge of governance-related matters, acting predominantly on the African continent to ensure the implementation of good governance principles for the betterment of the governance structure of FIFA member associations. Sarah is additionally lecturing in several sports law programs in Europe, Africa and the Caribbean region. Sarah is active in a number of associations promoting women in sports.
Legal & Reputation
Matt Himsworth
Matt is founder of B5 Consultancy. Having spent more than 18 years working as a media lawyer, first at media law firm Schillings and then through his own law firm Himsworth Scott (formerly Himsworths Legal) he brings a wealth of experience in understanding digital communication, developing safe cultures and protecting reputation and privacy in sport and beyond. He has acted for some of the most celebrated names in sport and works as a trusted adviser to many top Premier League and Championship Football Clubs as well as player associations and other sports organisations and companies.
Sustainability & Environment
Kimberley Lasi
Kimberley Lasi is a sustainability consultant and Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv, MIEMA) with experience across multiple sectors including sport, entertainment, fashion and food. She has expertise in climate risk, biodiversity and waste, advising companies of all sizes on net zero pathways and a just transition.
Kimberley has delivered sustainability training at all levels to a wide variety of people and is passionate about making climate science and wider sustainability accessible.
Charity & Fundraising
Ryan McMaster
Ryan is currently based in Washington D.C. where he works for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In his role he manages foundation relationships with the governments of the United States, and Canada, in addition to the United Nations. He seeks to advance the foundations policy and advocacy objectives, and serves as an advisor to foundation leadership.
Prior to joining the Gates Foundation he worked as a management consultant based in Dubai, and London. In his work at the foundation, and through his individual capacity, Ryan is committed to accelerating social impact, and the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Originally from Calgary, Canada, he received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Calgary and an MBA from the University of Manchester.
Education & Business
Dr Laura Chamberlain
Dr Laura Chamberlain is an Associate Professor of Marketing at Warwick Business School (WBS) & Assistant Dean for all Postgraduate Taught Programmes including Business, Management & Finance.
She is passionate about Marketing Education & has won numerous awards for teaching excellence. Most recently, a University of Warwick Teaching Excellence Award in 2020 & Lecturer of the Year 2019 in the Education Awards.
She created the award winning Marketing Insight Series (MiS), a suite of events designed to bridge the worlds of academia & industry to shape & inspire future marketing leaders (the first programme of events of this kind in UK Higher Education).
Laura works with organisations as a consultant & is a keynote speaker. Laura’s research has been published in highly ranked international journals & was identified as one of ‘15 scientists tackling the world’s most pressing problems’ in the first edition of Eureka, the science supplement of The Times newspaper.
Finance & Investments
David MacLennan
David has over 9 years of Financial Services experience, the majority of which has been working for Credit Suisse in London and more recently in Geneva.
David is currently a Relationship Manager servicing HNW and UHNW Sub-Saharan African and UK Clients based in Geneva, Switzerland.
He is a Graduate from the University of Exeter where studied Politics and Ancient History.
Legal
Carly Barnes
Carly Barnes qualified as a solicitor and has a Master’s degree in Sports Law. She has worked for some of the UK’s top law firms representing many high-profile stars across a range of sports and also in the music industry.
She is now CEO of Phoenix Sports & Media Group offering financial advice & education to professional athletes. PSMG is a member of the AxisStars Community and as part of our Partnership, Carly advises on & reviews applications to join from a legal perspective.
Health & Fitness
Danny Donachie
Danny is Director of Medical Services at Everton FC. Was Head of Medical Services at the club for four-and-a-half years before departing at the end of 2014. Returned in this new role in July 2018, having been Head of Medical and Sport Science at Aston Villa since November 2016.
Integrity
Katie Simmonds
English Sports Lawyer Katie is Global Chief Operating Officer of SIGA, the world’s largest coalition for sport integrity. Katie is a member of SIGA’s Executive Committee & reports to the CEO on all legal, commercial & partnership matters. She plays a key role in the coordination of the five SIGA Standing Committees that advise the CEO & Council, works closely with the early adopters of the SIGA Universal Standards, as well as provides legal & strategic advice on the development of the first ever independent assessment of sports organisations’ governance, the SIGA Independent Rating and Verification System, otherwise known as ‘SIRVS’. Katie works with the CEO to expand SIGA’s global membership. Katie leads the SIGA Global Female Mentorship Programme & regularly participates as an expert speaker in international conferences. Katie is passionate about sport and practices as often as she can.
Women's Sport
Adrian Jacobs
Originally from Manchester, Adrian was educated at Manchester Grammar School before graduating from The University of Leeds with a degree in French and Russian. For over 20 years, Adrian has been working in the deliverable FX market having merged and sold companies before setting up his current venture The FX Boutique. With a focus on combining exceptional personal service and market leading technology, The FX Boutique aims to disrupt the traditional FX market.
Since 2013, Adrian has also been Executive Manager of Chelsea Football Club Women. Overseeing the rise from a part time football club to one of the leading clubs in the world whilst achieving unprecedented levels of success.
Legal
Gaëlle Breard
Gaëlle Breard graduated from the University of Paris XII in tax law and from the Paris Bar in 2011. Starting out in Parisian firms as a lawyer for large organisations, Gaëlle settled on the Côte d’Azur in 2015 where she developed her skills in the field of real estate and sports law.
She currently works in Monaco with an international clientele.
FINANCE
Daniel Korn
Daniel trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant at Harris & Trotter LLP, and has been with them for almost 10 years.
Having become a Partner two years ago, he has experience with clients in a number of different sectors, dealing with all matters in respect of accounting, tax support and structuring, as well as commercial advice and support to his clients.
Daniel is a graduate of the University of Birmingham, having studied Business Management, and is
based in London.
women's sport & Marketing
Victoria Rush
Victoria Rush is a philanthropist and filmmaker. Living in London, she has a degree in Marketing & Advertising and worked as a commercial producer for O2 managing social and digital productions. She produced O2 Sports content focusing specifically on England Rugby. Alongside production, Victoria plays rugby for Richmond Rugby Club.
She directed the Amazon Prime Documentary ‘No Woman, No Try’ and has more fantastic projects in the pipeline.
An award-winning marketer, Victoria began the international social movement #IAmEnough in 2020. The phrase “I Am Enough” was created to help, inspire and motivate women. A phrase they can say online or in the mirror – to know THEY ARE ENOUGH and that no one else can tell them otherwise.