CSR Feature
The business behind the
Island’s sporting stars Creechurch Capital – the boutique discretionary fund manager – has invested nearly £250,000 in its Sports Academy to give promising young sports stars a muchneeded head start in their careers.
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his announcement comes hot-on-the-heels of the news that Yasmin Ingham scooped the main honours at the Isle of Man Bank Sports Awards ceremony at the Villa Marina last week. Without the sponsorship support of Creechurch Capital, achieving this accolade would not have been possible. Creechurch Capital is an award-winning discretionary fund manager regulated by the Isle of Man Financial Supervision Comission. Creechurch Capital funded the equestrian prodigy’s gallop to success last year when she won both the British and European Pony Championships in a major breakthrough for her career. The business has just announced the fact it has signed the deal to sponsor Yasmin Ingham for the forthcoming year, as she takes the next steps on her promising career. Yasmin will be based in Cheshire for the season as she competes in this year’s British Championships. Yasmin also has the opportunity to win further gold medals
at this year’s European Championships, which are being held in Yorkshire in August. In addition to Yasmin, Creechurch Capital has pledged its support to Commonwealth and Olympic Taekwondo hopeful, Aaron Cook. Aaron regained his number one world ranking at the end of 2013, when the under-80kg Isle of Man fighter made the podium in nine competitions out of 11, including five golds. His first fight for the Island was in the Swedish Open in February, where he clinched gold and finished the year with silver in the French Open. The World Taekwondo Federation gives ranking points to top international competitions and the top six in each weight category in December 2015, automatically obtaining a place in their national team for the Rio Olympics. Aaron is based in the Island, and splits his time between mentoring local students, training, and competing internationally. He will be flying the three legs competing all over the world this year. He will defend his double European title in Azerbaijan in May and compete against the top 32 in the world at three Grand Prix this year. John Greenwood, CEO at Creechurch Capital said: “Business and sport are very closely linked. We set out as a startup business just over three years ago and needed the support of loyal clients, our investors and even the Isle of Man Government to give us the confidence and backing to compete on an international stage. In the same way, we set up the Sports Academy to pledge our funding of these extremely promising young sports stars to give them the push off the start line
that they need, when they really need it. We’ve been astounded at the level of success individuals like Yasmin have gone on to achieve – it has far surpassed our expectations. There’s a lot people in business can learn from sportspeople like our Sports Academy members. While they’ve enjoyed a number of triumphs, we’ve also seen the grit and steely determination of those who have faced knock-backs, and how they’ve recovered by coming back stronger and more focussed than ever.” Sports Academy sponsorship recipient, Yasmin, said: “Winning the award last week was an immense honour, especially alongside a sportsman of the calibre of Mark Cavendish. I am so grateful to Creechurch for their continued support. Without their assistance, we wouldn’t be able to have enjoyed the success that we’ve had. I look forward working with the team again this year and have set my sights on more wins and awards in the future.” As well as Yasmin and Aaron, Creechurch Capital has previously sponsored Jonny Bellis, who is now challenging for track medals at this year’s Commonwealth Games. It has also provided support for Yorkshire-based Porsche driver, Daniel Lloyd, whose Grandfather lived in the Island, and is now in a partnership with Beechdean Aston Martin Racing to contest selected rounds of the Blancpain Endurance Series. Creechurch Capital has also played a pivotal role in backing the Kelly Holmes Sporting Excellence Programme and is a Team Isle of Man Champion supporting the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association in the countdown to Glasgow 2014.
Creechurch Capital Limited is licensed by the Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission. Registered Address: Knox House, 16-18 Finch Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2PT.
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