Strategic leadership hire accelerates Independent’s ambition to build Europe’s leading sport and entertainment group, introducing a distinctive commercial offer bridging world-class talent, external rights holders, and global brands.
Independent Talent Group today announces the appointment of Dan Chard in the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer. The senior appointment marks the latest milestone in Independent’s broader growth strategy to build Europe’s leading entertainment and sport group.
Chard will lead the creation of an integrated commercial proposition with two complementary priorities: developing a dedicated commercial representation offer for external rights holders, including sports teams, music artists and venues, whilst also working alongside Independent’s agents and existing commercial leadership team to build long-term strategies for its talent roster.
Joining Independent from Legends Global where he served SVP Commercial, Dan brings nearly three decades of high-level commercial leadership across the sports, music, and live entertainment industries to Independent. Chard previously oversaw commercial partnerships across Europe for ASM Global, AEG Europe, and was Director of Global Partnerships for Italian football giant FC Internazionale Milano.
Chard’s appointment follows two significant recent milestones for Independent in its ambition to build Europe’s leading entertainment and sport talent group, backed by Sienna Private Equity.
In August, the Group announced that the former CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, Deborah Turness, had joined the company to launch and lead a major new creative studio. This was followed by the announcement of a strategic investment in leading UK sport talent agency, Tongue Tied Management, founded and led by Jo Tongue MBE.
Chard is building a team whose work will encompass commercial partnerships across sport, music and entertainment rights holders with a focus on creating more ways for brands to engage audiences through talent and culture.
Announcing the news, Sally Long-Innes, CEO of Independent Talent Group, said:
“Dan’s appointment is an essential next step in realising Independent Talent Group’s ambition to build Europe’s leading entertainment and sport talent group. Following our strategic partnership with Tongue Tied Management, bringing Dan into the business enables us to create a truly differentiated commercial proposition. He brings exceptional vision and an outstanding track record in connecting rights holders, cultural projects, and talent with global brands. Dan will play a central role in delivering long-term value for our clients and commercial partners alike.”
Dan Chard, Chief Commercial Officer of Independent Talent Group, stated:
“Brands and rights holders no longer want standard logo placements – they want authentic cultural alignment and compelling narratives. By seamlessly connecting Independent’s extraordinary roster of world-class talent with progressive rights holders across sport, music, and major live environments, we are creating an agile, modern commercial agency that delivers genuine impact. I am thrilled to join Independent during this transformative phase of growth.”
Source: Independent Talent Group
INDEPENDENT TALENT GROUP APPOINTS DAN CHARD TO SPEARHEAD SPORT AND ENTERTAINMENT COMMERCIAL EXPANSION added by newsroom on
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