Currie took over the Chairmanship of what was then ESCA (The European Sponsorship Consultants Association) in 2001 succeeding Barrie Gill. He oversaw the merger of ESCA with the Institute of Sports Sponsorship (ISS) in 2003 from which ESA was formed. Since then the Association has quadrupled in size and now has well over 200 members.
ESA is now firmly established as the trade body for the sponsorship industry across Europe. Its policy team has played a key role in lobbying Brussels on a number of issues that could affect the sponsorship industry, most recently the alcohol sponsorship issue. It has also developed some outstanding training and education programmes and the communications programmes, newsletters and social and networking opportunities remain an essential part of ESA’s offering. In recent months ESA has also established two new working groups, a Sponsors committee, open only to sponsors and a Media Group.
Commenting on behalf of the Board, ESA Vice Chairman, Helen Day said, “ESA and the sponsorship industry in general is indebted to the tremendous effort and commitment Nigel has made to the Association over the past 7 years. ESA is unrecognisable now to the body it was when Nigel took over as Chairman. At times, particularly in the early days it was an unrewarding and thankless task but ESA is now a highly respected body and one that can proudly promote and champion the sponsorship industry”.
Commenting on his departure, Currie said, “I have been on the ESCA and now ESA Board for the past 12 years and have been Chairman for the past 7. While it has been extremely rewarding it has taken a lot of time and effort and I think the time is now right for someone else to head up ESA and take things to the next level. What I do know is that the strength of ESA is a reflection of the strength of sponsorship as a marketing discipline and it has been extremely encouraging and rewarding to see ESA develop and respond to the growing needs of the sponsorship industry. The next challenge is to involve more companies from across Europe and expand the Association into new territories.
I hope to remain closely involved with ESA in whatever capacity I can, but in the immediate future taking a break from the ESA Board and the role of Chairman will enable me to focus on my own agency brandRapport”.
