How do you turn around a struggling business, rebuild customer trust, invest in your people, and create a platform for long-term growth?
In this episode, Mark Francis sits down with John Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer at Powerleague, to explore the remarkable transformation of one of the UK's best-known small-sided football businesses.
John shares how Powerleague went from facing serious financial challenges in 2018 to building a stronger, community-focused business with a growing multi-sport offering. He explains why the turnaround started by going back to the basics - putting customers and the quality of the core product at the centre of every decision.
The conversation covers Powerleague's expansion beyond football into padel, netball, cricket and darts, as well as the role of partnerships, community engagement, charity initiatives and grassroots sport in the company's growth strategy.
John also discusses leadership, developing talent from within, listening to employees, creating a strong culture, and the importance of being yourself as a leader.
In this episode, Mark Francis and John Gillespie discuss:
1.The turnaround of Powerleague since 2018
2.How investing in facilities helped rebuild customer trust
3.Why customer experience must remain at the heart of business
4.Powerleague's move from small-sided football to multi-sport
5.The rapid growth of padel in the UK
6.Introducing cricket, netball and darts into Powerleague centres
7.Building stronger communities through grassroots sport
8.Partnerships with major brands and charities
9.Supporting mental wellbeing through sport and social connection
10.Developing managers and future leaders from within the business
11.How John Gillespie approaches his role as CEO
12.Powerleague's growth plans across the UK, Ireland and Europe
13.The potential opportunity for small-sided sport in the US
14.How professional and former footballers can get involved in grassroots sport
15. Managing strategy while staying close to customers and frontline teams
16. Why energy and relentlessness matter in leadership
17. John's advice for aspiring CEOs and business leaders
John's leadership philosophy is simple but powerful: be yourself, stay true to who you are, keep learning, and never lose sight of where you came from.
Watch the full conversation to hear how John Gillespie and the Powerleague team turned a business in difficulty into a growing community-focused sports platform.
Guest:
John Gillespie
Chief Executive Officer at Powerleague
Host:
Mark Francis
Connect with John Gillespie on linkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gillespie-2bb57814/
#Powerleague #JohnGillespie #MarkFrancis #Leadership #BusinessLeadership #CEO #BusinessTransformation #Football #GrassrootsFootball #Padel #SportsBusiness #Community #LeadershipLessons #BusinessGrowth
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– Mark and the Who's Your Captain podcast team
Connect with Mark Francis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-78b3061/
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Hosted by Mark Francis, founder of The Uspire Partnership and former senior leader at Burberry and Tesco, this podcast provokes fresh thinking, energises purpose, and transforms how leaders perform. With over 25 years of experience in learning and development, organisational change, and executive coaching, Mark brings deep insight to every conversation. He's worked across retail, FMCG, logistics, and professional services, helping leaders and organisations unlock potential and drive meaningful transformation. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating your own path, you'll discover practical wisdom and inspiration from those who know what it takes to steer the ship.
If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or professional looking to elevate your leadership, find inspiration from great mentors, or understand what drives transformational performance, this podcast will give you the insights and energy to chart your own course with confidence.
What is Who's Your Captain??
Who's Your Captain explores the leadership lessons hidden in the stories of sports' greatest captains. Hosted by Mark Francis, this podcast dives deep into what separates good leaders from legendary ones—on the field, in the locker room, and beyond.
Each episode features conversations with elite athletes, coaches, and sports professionals who've experienced world-class leadership firsthand. From the mental resilience required to lead under pressure to the communication strategies that unite divided teams, Mark unpacks the principles that make exceptional captains unforgettable.
Whether you're leading a business, managing a team, or navigating your own personal challenges, the insights from sports captains translate directly to everyday leadership. These aren't just sports stories—they're blueprints for building trust, inspiring performance, and leading with integrity.
Mark Francis brings his passion for sports and leadership together to deliver authentic, actionable conversations that inspire listeners to step up and lead in their own lives. New episodes drop weekly, bringing you closer to understanding what it truly means to captain your own ship.
Subscribe to join a community of leaders who believe the best lessons come from those who've done it at the highest level.