Thank you for joining us

ICAEW and the advisory group want to extend their thanks to all Community members who were able to join us across the various webinars and events in 2025, as well as provide us with feedback as to what they would like to see in the future.

We would also like to express our gratitude to those who engage with our newsletter. We hope that this continues to be of value to you and look forward to bringing you more in the New Year. If there is anything that you wish to feedback, share or write, please contact Samuel Edwards (samuel.edwards@icaew.com) for further information.

Advisory group chair Adam Edelshain said:

"The Entertainment, Sport and Media (ESM) sectors are expected to grow at about 5% per annum in the UK over the next 5 years. But that steady growth hides significant change across all three sectors, driven by the continued shift to digital, the impact of new technologies including AI, financial pressures and evolving regulatory and tax legislation.

At the ICAEW, we had a number of speakers that helped shine a light on some of these changing dynamics this past year – it was a real pleasure to host a webinar about how AI will affect the accounting profession as well as the ESM sectors themselves. And as a huge Football fan, it was an honour to chair a discussion on the future of Football and Finance, exploring the profitability of football clubs, the challenges around financial fair play, and the role of the new Independent Football Regulator in promoting the sustainability of English football.

And there’s a lot to look forward to in 2026 as we have a number of exciting events and webinars lined up covering Entertainment, Sport and Media. I look forward to seeing you next year."

Vice Chair Graham Smith echoed this and said:

"I would like to thank each individual appointed to the ESM Strategic Advisory Group (including ICAEW employees) for their energies, insights and introductions. These enabled content to empower our subscribed members, whose attendance, questions and feedback are also essential to our strong community.

Following our delivery of an excellent programme for 2025, I am very much looking forward to working with the team in 2026."

• Watch the webinar

This webinar explored the evolving impact of artificial intelligence on financial operations across the entertainment, sport and media sectors. Speakers shared insights into recent regulatory developments and practical applications of AI, highlighting key considerations for accountants working in or advising clients in these industries.

Our speakers were:

Ben Bilsland, Technology, Media, Telecom Senior Analyst, Parter, RSM

Tom Morrod, Research Director and co-founder, Caretta Research

Session Chair: Adam Edelshain, Business Director, MediaSense

• Watch the webinar

Following the success of our previous discussion around the future of football, ICAEW proudly hosted another live discussion at Chartered Accountants’ Hall. Our expert speakers explored major developments in the game – including football finance, club sustainability, the Football Governance Bill, fan-led reform and plans for an independent regulator.

Our speakers were:

Kieran Maguire, Chartered Accountant, Academic, Author, Broadcaster, Presenter of "The Price of Football" podcast

Jonathan Brown, Co-Lead of Sports Advisory, Ankura Consulting (Europe) Limited

Dame Caroline Dinenage DBE MP, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee and Member of Parliament for Gosport

Adam Crockett, Deputy Director – Football Governance Bill, and Head of Football Regulation Policy, Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

Session Chair: Adam Edelshain, Business Director, MediaSense

During this webinar, we reviewed the entertainment, media and sport industries. Listen to our speakers’ insights on 2024's strengths, 2025 projections, global trends in entertainment, sport and media, and the key challenges.

Our speakers were:

Johan Rewilak, Assistant Professor, Department of Sport and Entertainment Management, University of South Carolina

Katie Butcher, Senior Manager, Strategy&

Session Chair: Adam Edelshain, Business Director, MediaSense

As we fast approach the end of the year, the Communities team are working alongside the advisory group to bring you more content in the New Year. We have been reviewing your feedback from previous events and are incorporating these into our plans for the year ahead. We hope to bring you more webinars, including those jointly with other Communities, another in-person event and newsletters filled with up-to-date content.

Please note that these are subject to change and are not guarantees at this time.

Are you a professional working in the Entertainment, Sport & Media industry? Shape the future of the profession by contributing your expertise to the ICAEW Entertainment, Sport & Media Community advisory group.

If you feel this opportunity fits with you, please contact Samuel Edwards (samuel.edwards@icaew.com) for further information. Please note that there are limited spaces available.