Larissa Davies is Professor of Applied Sports Economics at Manchester Metropolitan University. Larissa’s research focuses on the economic and social impact of sport. She specialises in using Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis to value outcomes that are difficult to measure, such as health, wellbeing, and social capital. Larissa has developed social impact models for measuring sport at the population level, and for specific sports, facility operators and infrastructure projects, both in the UK and internationally. She has worked extensively with a wide range of stakeholders across the sport sector, including national sports agencies, government, charities, private sector organisations and governing bodies. Larissa is part of a research consortium currently updating the social value model for England. Previously, she led an SROI study of recreational physical activity in New Zealand.

James Sutherland has been Chief Executive Officer of Golf Australia since 2020. Golf Australia is the national governing body for golf, responsible for leading and supporting the game’s growth ambitions with a strong focus on inspiring more Australians to play more golf. James is passionate about golf’s potential to grow as an accessible inclusive, fun sport for all. Powered by the game’s first ever national strategy - launched in 2022 and endorsed by Golf Australia, the PGA of Australia and the WPGA Tour of Australasia - the game is enjoying an unprecedented period of participation growth and interest. James is qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young and has since had a long and distinguished career in the sports industry, highlighted by his time as CEO of Cricket Australia for 17 years and board positions including the Geelong Cats, Play HQ and Sport Integrity Australia.