Meet the Team
Mark Ruddy
Founder and CEO
Mark Ruddy is a passionate and forward-thinking professional leading Grow Sport, a pioneering consultancy that’s transforming how sports clubs in Ireland are managed and developed.
With a career built across many areas of the sports industry, Mark brings both practical experience and strategic vision to every project. As a Certified Club Manager (CCM) through the Club Managers Association of Europe, he’s dedicated to the highest standards of professionalism and continuous learning, always looking for new ways to drive progress and innovation.
At Grow Sport, Mark’s mission is simple to help sports clubs reach their full potential. His work covers everything from strategic planning and revenue generation to operations, finance, marketing and fractional management, offering each club a tailored approach that fits its unique ambitions.
Mark’s hands-on background in club management gives him a deep understanding of the challenges clubs face every day. Combined with his strategic mindset, it’s what makes Grow Sport a trusted partner for clubs that want to grow stronger, become more sustainable and achieve lasting success.
Away from his consultancy work, Mark remains closely connected to the wider sports community. He’s a strong believer in collaboration, knowledge sharing and supporting others in the industry to raise the overall standard of sports club management in Ireland.
With Grow Sport, Mark is helping shape a new future for sports consultancy in Ireland, one built on innovation, sustainability and a genuine commitment to helping clubs thrive.
Phil Ryan
Business Development Partner
Philip Ryan brings more than 25 years of experience across business development, commercial strategy, hospitality, leisure and sport. Throughout his career, he has developed a reputation for building strong relationships, identifying growth opportunities and helping organisations achieve sustainable long-term success.
His professional background spans senior leadership, sales management, business development, operations and strategic planning. Philip has worked with a diverse range of organisations, from privately owned businesses and hospitality groups to community-based sporting organisations, delivering measurable improvements in revenue generation, customer engagement and organisational performance.
Prior to joining Grow Sport, Philip held senior leadership roles within the Griffin Hotel Group and Attyflin Estate where he was responsible for driving commercial growth, enhancing operational efficiencies and developing strategic partnerships. His experience includes managing sales teams, creating recurring revenue models, improving customer retention and implementing growth strategies that delivered tangible business results.
As Business Development Partner at Grow Sport, Philip works closely with sports clubs, governing bodies and sporting organisations to identify new opportunities for growth. His focus includes commercial development, sponsorship generation, strategic partnerships, business planning and helping organisations create sustainable revenue streams that support long-term success.
Philip's appointment further strengthens Grow Sport's commitment to providing practical, real-world expertise to sports organisations. His blend of commercial acumen, operational leadership and grassroots sporting experience allows him to bring a balanced perspective to every project, helping clubs and organisations unlock their potential while remaining true to their values and communities.