Football Super-Agent Jon Smith OBE Visits Chadwell Heath Academy

hear from Jon Smith OBE — one of the original football “super-agents” and a leading figure in sport, media and business.

The visit was arranged through Futures4All, an organisation that connects schools with professionals from a range of industries to help raise aspirations and broaden pupils’ understanding of future careers and opportunities.

Throughout his career, Jon has worked with some of the biggest names in world sport, including Diego Maradona, and played a major role behind the scenes with the England Football Team, helping to develop “Team England.” He has also worked across cricket, rugby, television and business.

During the session, Jon shared insights into his career journey, including working in elite sport and business. He spoke about overcoming a severe stammer earlier in life and linked this to the importance of confidence, communication and not allowing personal challenges to limit future opportunities.

Pupils were given practical advice on first impressions, eye contact, pausing before answering questions in interviews or difficult situations, and preparing for a future shaped by AI and changing technology.

The targeted session also gave pupils the chance to speak with Jon in a much more informal setting. Pupils asked a wide range of questions, took photographs with him and, for some, even received his business card. Questions ranged from sports careers and becoming a football agent, to making money, future opportunities and the changing influence of major world powers. Some pupils have since remained in contact with Jon and have been directed towards professional contacts linked to their areas of interest.

It was a real pleasure to host such an influential figure at Chadwell Heath Academy. Our aim is to inspire our pupils, and we are proud of the wider links we are building with professionals who can share their experiences and open pupils’ minds to future possibilities.

Well done to our Year 10 and Year 12 pupils for their exceptional behaviour, maturity and engagement throughout the visit. The positive impression our pupils continue to leave on visitors will help create even more opportunities for Chadwell Heath Academy students in the future.