Powerleague’s Next Chapter: John Gillespie Takes the Helm After Christian Rose’s Transformative Tenure
Powerleague, the UK’s largest operator of small-sided football facilities, is entering a new era. After seven years of transformational leadership, Christian Rose retired as CEO in September 2025, passing the baton to his long-time colleague and former Chief Operating Officer, John Gillespie.
Rose leaves behind a lasting legacy. During his tenure, Powerleague underwent a major modernization programme: upgrading pitches, expanding into padel, strengthening its brand presence, and managing a network of 43 clubs that now welcome more than nine million customers annually. His vision repositioned Powerleague as not just a football operator, but a multi-sport community hub.
Now, John Gillespie steps up to guide Powerleague through its next phase of growth. Having joined the company in 2018 as Head of Operations and later serving as COO, Gillespie has already been instrumental in shaping the organisation’s operational excellence. His experience overseeing 37 clubs and 329 partner venues, combined with his more recent role as Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, gives him a unique blend of operational and strategic expertise.
As CEO, Gillespie is set to lead one of Powerleague’s most ambitious projects to date: the £14 million rollout of 76 new padel courts across 18 clubs by 2026. This expansion not only capitalises on the surging popularity of padel in the UK, but also reflects a broader vision of diversifying and enriching customer sporting experiences.
Gillespie’s leadership style—hands-on, customer-focused, and performance-driven—has already helped embed values of accountability and service across Powerleague’s network. He brings with him a career shaped not only in sport but also in retail, having held senior leadership positions at Maplin and in financial services, where he honed his skills in team development, operational turnaround, and strategic growth.
Looking ahead, industry observers will be watching to see how Gillespie balances continuity with innovation. With football as its foundation and padel as a major growth lever, Powerleague is well positioned to further evolve into a leading multi-sport destination brand. The focus on community engagement, customer experience, and club-level empowerment is likely to remain central to his agenda.
At The Business of Football Network, we have a special connection to this transition. Christian Rose joined us on our podcast earlier this year, just months before announcing his retirement, and offered valuable insights into leadership, sport, and business transformation. We wish him all the best as he expands his non-executive portfolio and spends more time with family.
And to John Gillespie, we extend our congratulations on stepping into the top role. Powerleague’s journey has already been one of reinvention—and under his leadership, its next chapter promises to be just as compelling.
