Football legend Andriy Shevchenko and business leader Mark Madden visited Dundee University to inspire the city’s next generation of entrepreneurs.
The two giants from the world of sport and business were at the Centre for Entrepreneurship on Wednesday to take part in a Q&A session with students and members of the local business community.
The pair discussed their respective careers, latest business collaboration and participation in this week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with the University’s Michael Marra.
Mr Shevchenko, who is currently the manager of the Ukraine national team, had a glittering playing career, turning out for Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan and Chelsea, and become a stalwart for Ukraine on the international stage.
He is one of Europe’s most successful strikers and received the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2004. As well as his work within football, the goal hero is personally involved with a number of charity organisations.
Mr Shevchenko used his visit to the City of Discovery to share the lessons he has learned throughout his sporting career and his experiences of breaking into the business world.
He said: “I think sport and business have a lot of very similar movements. When they asked me about what to do when you start something new, I said I think that if you get all the information and prepare, you always have more of a chance to succeed.
“Never stop learning, as my old coach used to say to me. Create good relationships with the people you work with. It is very important to create your own team who can support you in any difficult situation.”
Mr Shevchenko also discussed the challenges for sportspeople who retire at a young age and workers who seek out a new career later in life.
He said: “I think if you finish one part of your career, like I finished playing football and started to face a totally different life, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. We can all learn from it. Be enthusiastic and keep dreaming.”
Mark Madden, who joined Mr Shevchenko on stage, is the founder and CEO of finance firm Peregrine390. He is also an active angel investor in a wide range of start-ups.
The pair are currently collaborating on a number of sports-led initiatives.
Brian McNicoll, head of the Centre for Entrepreneurship, said hearing from two figures who had conquered their respective fields provided valuable insight in what it takes to succeed in business.
“It was an honour to welcome Mark and Andriy to campus and to hear of their combined experiences in what many might think are two very different arenas,” he said.
“However, there are many parallels between sport and business and to hear what both had to say about leadership, their desire to succeed, and ability to overcome challenges was engrossing.”
