Available to hire
I’m Richard Frost, a proven brand strategist and marketing leader with 15+ years driving growth across sport, lifestyle, and purpose-driven brands. Former Nike senior leader, I now help scale-ups and challenger brands find clarity, connect with culture, and unlock lasting commercial impact through fractional CMO and advisory roles.
I’m passionate about sustainability, storytelling, and building inclusive brand platforms that deliver measurable growth and cultural relevance. I actively support representation and inclusion in football and basketball, and I lead with curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to challenge the status quo to use sport as a platform for equality, youth development, and social impact.
Skills
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Founder & Director at First Five Marketing Ltd
April 1, 2021 - PresentStrategic brand consultancy for bold, purpose-led sport and lifestyle organisations. Founded a consultancy built to partner with brands, athletes, and organisations looking to turn clear strategic thinking into culture-shaping action. Delivered fractional brand leadership to scale-ups, start-ups, and rights holders, embedding within teams to drive clarity, momentum, and growth. Shaped corporate brand strategy, brand architecture, and go-to-market roadmaps; led projects across brand identity, narrative, partnership models, and campaign activations; built internal teams and connected clients to a trusted freelance collective for execution at pace.
Fractional CMO at Hytro
July 1, 2021 - PresentGlobal BFR performance brand startup. Led brand strategy and commercial growth from early-stage to globally recognised performance brand in elite sport. Defined the brand's core identity, led a complete rebrand across visual identity, packaging, and product language. Delivered 3x commercial revenue growth through brand-led marketing and strategic partnerships with NASA, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Manchester City, and Alpine F1. Built a science-led content and education strategy, increasing practitioner engagement and customer adoption; developed an organic athlete engagement model and 360° brand communications playbook.
Strategic Brand Consultant at Kitlocker.com
July 1, 2024 - PresentEmbedded within the senior team to lead a full brand refresh, driving distinction, internal clarity, and stronger market resonance. Developed new brand architecture and audience segmentation strategy across B2B and DTC to support revenue diversification. Delivered a new brand positioning, voice, and cultural narrative, transforming Kitlocker from a transactional retailer into a purpose-driven platform for team identity, community, and expression. Created GTM strategies for key seasonal sports and partnered with internal teams to develop repeatable brand activation playbooks.
Senior Brand Marketing Manager - Team & Specialty Sports at Nike UK
September 1, 2018 - March 1, 2021Directed the development of long-term marketing strategies governing world-class brand events and end-to-end large-scale creative workstreams. Managed digital marketing & membership activations; established accountability across multiple stakeholders for marketing, media, agency, and events planning; challenged internal teams to align priorities and execute externally. Managed multiple communications and creative agencies to land broad commercial goals in meaningful ways.
Brand Manager - Nike Football, UK at Nike Football, UK
April 1, 2016 - September 1, 2018Focused on inspiring audiences to play and love sport, and instilling long-term brand loyalty by leading strategic campaigns and managing key brand alliances to facilitate global objectives in hyperlocal ways. Partners included NBA Europe, Saracens RFC, Middlesex CCC, NFL UK, and more. Led EMEA Affiliate Marketing and the Global Membership Marketing Pilot; designed and executed campaigns that connected culture with commerce.
EKIN Manager at NIKE UK & IRE
February 1, 2010 - May 1, 2011UK & Ireland EKIN management, driving integrated marketing and brand initiatives across multiple markets.
Retail Brand Manager at NIKE UK
August 1, 2014 - April 1, 2016Led UK retail brand initiatives, working across campaigns, partnerships, and product storytelling to strengthen brand presence in market.
Retail Manager at Nike Covent Garden
September 1, 2008 - February 1, 2010Managed store operations with a focus on brand experience, product storytelling, and customer engagement.
Skate Retail Buyer at TwoSeasons
August 1, 2006 - September 1, 2008Bought skate-focused product lines, blending retailer needs with brand storytelling in a dynamic market.
EKIN Manager at NIKE UK
May 1, 2011 - August 1, 2014Earlier stint managing EKIN initiatives and brand activities in the UK market.
Sr. Brand Marketing Manager - Team & Specialty Sports at Nike UK & Ireland
September 1, 2018 - March 1, 2021Directed long-term marketing strategies for world-class brand events and end-to-end creative workstreams. Led digital marketing and membership activations, established cross-functional accountability, and managed agencies to land broad commercial goals with authentic, culturally resonant campaigns.
Brand Manager - Nike Football, UK at Nike UK
April 1, 2016 - September 1, 2018Inspired audiences to play and love sport by leading strategic campaigns and managing key brand alliances to support global objectives in hyperlocal ways.
Ekin Manager at Nike UK
February 1, 2010 - May 1, 2011Led brand projects and product marketing within the Ekin range, coordinating cross-functional teams to deliver impactful campaigns and product storytelling.
Education
BA (Dual Honours) Economics & Laws at Keele University
January 11, 2030 - January 23, 2026BA (Dual Honours) Economics & Laws at Keele University
January 11, 2030 - January 23, 2026Qualifications
Industry Experience
Media & Entertainment, Retail, Professional Services, Other
Skills
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