Every week, as part of my Inspiring Leadership with Jonathan Bowman-Perks podcast series, I speak with a different guest who offers their insightful wisdom about all things leadership. This series is aimed at inspiring leaders, whatever level you are at. Whether you are starting out in your career, whether you are in a middle-ranking role, or whether you are a CEO or Chairman of a board – there is always something you can learn. This series provides you with the skills, stories, tips and techniques which you can pass on to those you lead, and your teams.
This week’s guest is Daniel Bernard. With over twenty years’ experience in the Sports Industry, having built operations, companies and platforms across multiple territories and jurisdictions, Daniel is currently focused on strategic investments into startups and early stage companies in the sports and sports technology sector.
Born in London in the UK, Daniel has lived in France, Spain and Italy before settling in Israel in 1999. Working in television for the Sports Channel offered a broad entry into the industry, and he worked from the ground up through logistics and production to deal with broadcast rights acquisitions.
In 2004, Daniel founded the Israel-based Sports Data agency that was to become Redwood International Sports. Redwood was a first mover in advanced analysis of player and team performance always adopting innovative technologies to increase the company’s capacity to deliver quality data and insights for its customers.
Daniel turned his focus in 2015 to the Sports Betting industry and created brand new platforms for emerging markets, dealing with everything from compliance and regulation to product and IT delivery. As part of this journey, he founded Suntech Innovation in Kyiv, Ukraine, delivering fully customized and turnkey product for the specific market.
Daniel wholeheartedly believes in servant leadership. At the center of his core values are a dedication to hard work, high energy, an entrepreneurial spirit and creating teams that embrace diversity of thought as much as they embrace diversity of background. He is a strong advocate for gender equality and believes that, beyond being morally and ethically correct, it is also extremely wise commercially.
Feeling grateful to continue working in a sector he enjoys so much, Daniel is connected with a number of Venture Capital funds with a global reach into the Sports Industry and works with selected companies to bring value through strategic, operational and business development partnerships.
Beyond his professional career in the Sports Industry, Daniel is passionate about building long-term, sustainable bridges between Israel and the UAE, and further to additional countries in the GCC. The Abraham Accords have provided an historic opportunity for peace in our region and Daniel is proud to be part of this vision in any way possible, whether it be through commercial, social or cultural partnerships and objectives.
Top tip. It’s not about you as a leader. Your skills serve a purpose. Keep your humility and don’t get big headed!
Listen to the episode now: https://jonathanperks.com/podcasts/202-daniel-bernard-sports-industry-investor-entrepreneur/?swcfpc=1