Former Head of Marketing and Commercial, Women's Football, FA
With over 30 years working in sport, Marzena has a background from Olympics to Women’s Football; she has seen incredible change in sport over the years from a commercial, marketing and diversity perspective. Her time now focuses on non-executive roles and consulting, setting up Chase The Squirrel Consulting this year, supporting brands and organisations across the sporting spectrum.
Previously Head of Marketing and Commercial, Women's Football, at The FA, Marzena played a significant role in the exponential growth seen across women’s football. Developing the first commercial and marketing strategy for the women’s game and lead its delivery through a cross functional team – from grassroots to leagues and competitions to the England team.
Overseeing numerous marketing campaigns from the first in 2017 with Little Mix to those in subsequent tournament years (2019 & 2023 World Cups and 2022 Euros). Each continued to grow and raise profile year on year. The resulting exponential growth in followers and fans culminated in sell out games for the England team – now known as the Lionesses.
Marzena was instrumental in visualizing and leading the ambition to host a home women’s tournament as a means to fast track the growth of the women’s game, giving England the platform on which to host the iconic UEFA Womens EURO 2022. As part of the leadership team around the tournament she helped maximise potential for growth both on and off the pitch.
From 1996-2006 Marzena was the inaugural Director of Marketing at the British Olympic Association (BOA) where she built and managed the BOA’s first commercial and marketing department. Her most notable achievement during her time at the BOA, was as the architect of the Team GB brand that is now embedded into sport in Britain.
Prior to The FA, Marzena was managing director of her own consultancy, b-focused ltd, specialising in sports marketing, sponsorship and event management. Clients included Team GB, Youth Sport Trust, British Rowing and Panasonic, among others. She led the management and co-ordination of largescale events such as the Team GB FanZones 2016, Birmingham Rugby World Cup Fan Zone 2015, the London 2012 Live Sites Network, 2008 Visa Handover, London and 2004 Olympic Torch Relay, London.
Marzena has also held a number of Non-Executive roles including Volleyball England and British Gymnastics – utilising her commercial and marketing expertise.