Interview with Philippe Gasly, KEDGE graduate (Class of 2012) and current Associate Partner of the recruiting agency Sportcarriere

Founded in 2001,  Sportcarriere has become the leading recruitment agency in the sport and entertainment industry. The agency, which has a presence both nationally and internationally, serves all types of businesses and institutions for middle and top management positions.

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INTERVIEW - PHILIPPE GASLY, ASSOCIATE PARTNER

1. As a former student of KEDGE, what memories do you have of the school and which ones left their mark on you? 

As a "young" alumnus, I think that my journey at KEDGE was striking for two things, the university exchanges (Hull City, Madrid) and internships (London, Paris), I did and the people I met throughout the programme. The international track forced me to work on being adaptable and gaining a sense of empathy (and understanding foreign cultures). I also met my partner through the school (we’ve just had a little boy) as well as many friends with whom I still hang out today! Of course, not at the same pace as back then, but my heart is still in it.

KEDGE BUSINESS SCHOOL

2. You graduated from KEDGE in 2012. Tell us about your career since you left the school, particularly at Sportcarriere, which you’ve managed since April 2019.

My history with recruitment and human resources started before I graduated in 2012. Because I wasn’t "made for" either finance or marketing, I decided to go for a career that resembled my personality more, one that combined relationship skills and business performance.

So I did my end-of-studies internship at an international recruitment agency, Michael Page. I learned two jobs there: recruitment and its various subtleties (headhunting, direct approach, etc.) and business development in a hypercompetitive environment. The role of a consultant in this firm is quite vast as it requires a skilful combination of business skills and competencies, as well as a certain finesse in dealing with people. It was an excellent place to learn. That role matched my mindset and personality. Afterwards, I was offered a position there on a permanent basis. This was followed by three long years rich in teaching, engaging employees and partners, professional ups and downs – in short, it was the beginning of a typical career. 

I was always a fan of the sports world and, in 2015, with my first professional job behind me, I met Alain Ghibaudo, the founder of Sportcarriere, a recruitment agency that specialises in the sport and entertainment field. A pioneer of the market, HR expert, and walking sports encyclopaedia, we instantly hit it off. It was one of the best professional encounters I've ever had, someone who is human, passionate, and driven by what he does. Alain has been recognised for his know-how since he launched Sportcarriere in 2001. I immediately liked and got excited about the firm’s character and sectoral dynamics.

So I started 2016 working as a consultant in a small team. The sector was growing significantly (several major sports events were on the horizon: EURO2016, return of the French F1 Grand Prix, Paris 2024, etc.) so I advanced fairly rapidly. New partnerships and a booming business side motivated the firm's organic growth. I’ve been a partner since 2019 and since then, Alain, Damien Innocenti (KEDGE 2011 - Marseille), and I have been leading the firm's expansion both within France and internationally. Our overall offer has been diversified and now rests on the following 4 pillars:

• Sport & Entertainment advertising (sportcarriere.com/en);
• Talent scouting and recruitment within the Sport & Entertainment world;
• HR consulting and support for Clubs and Associations; and,
• BtoB intermediation.

I’m in charge of business development and supervise recruitment activities (and the related teams). So I’ve succeeded in making my job a real passion, and I’ve been able to combine the things I have a personal affinity for with an active professional environment. I’ve been given a real opportunity, and I'm delighted to be part of the adventure! 

PHILIPPE GASLY - LINKEDIN   SPORTCARRIERE

3. If you were to give advice to any KEDGE graduate who wants to do something similar, what would it be?

Focusing on my case wouldn’t be appropriate because every path is unique and sometimes you meet people who can boost your career. So, I will try to address the largest number of Kedgers. You have to trust your instincts and take responsibility. Being a student and being able to study a rich programme, like the ones offered by KEDGE, are an excellent start, but you have to be able to see yourself in the future and try to find a job that combines your personal interests and intrinsic skills and qualities. 

As far as the sector is concerned, it's pretty clear to me: the more exciting and fascinating the environment, the more committed and involved you are. And in any job, performance means sustainability and a long-term career! So look for a field that suits you. Pragmatically, you need to find an end-of-study internship that matches your professional desires and that will be valuable on the market, and then target the sectors and environments that interest you. That will ultimately lead to a profession that will inspire you and take you far. 

“If you love what you do, you’ll do it well”. That’s not just a saying!

4. Why do you think it is important for a school to have a robust alumni network?

First of all, so you can stay in contact with others. To be able to follow the trajectory of your former classmates and especially to inspire the younger ones through professional testimonials. To give them the desire and to show them that anything is possible is a powerful conveyor of positive communication. For me, it’s one of the pillars of our institution. A school isn’t only defined by the quality of the diplomas it awards. Above all, it’s also defined by the wealth of talents that make it up. Freshman, women, and graduates can meet via the network and discuss and share information on professional topics. This not only helps each person’s vision of their future but also makes it easier to create business opportunities and/or exchange best practices.

Finally, let’s not forget that the best advertising for KEDGE is how well its Alumni do - their career paths and success. If we graduates are happy and performing in our respective jobs today, it’s because the education we received was of very good quality, and we have no problem saying that!

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