Professor Simon Shibli BSc, ACMA
Professor of Sport Management and Head of Centre
Summary
Simon is a Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualified management accountant whose specialist areas of interest are the finance and economics of the sport and leisure industries. Recent research includes: measuring performance in elite sport; assessing the economic impact of major sport and cultural events; assisting National Governing Bodies with their strategic planning; and monitoring and evaluating the impact of sport initiatives and interventions. Simon and the SIRC team are committed to conducting high quality research that makes a positive difference for clients.
About
Simon Shibli is a graduate in Physical Education, Sport Science and Recreation Management from Loughborough University. Since 2004 he has been the Director of the Sport Industry Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Centre (SIRC) at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, where he is also Professor of Sport Management. SIRC is a business unit within the University that has a turnover of £1m per annum and which employs 18 staff. In 2003 Simon was admitted to the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and is one of very few qualified accountants working in sport management in the UK. His main research interests are in the applied use of techniques from the fields of finance and economics to research questions in sport and leisure.
Simon prides himself with two key strengths. First, he uses technical management accounting rigour and common sense, in equal measure, to deliver credible and practical solutions for clients. Second, he is a clear communicator of complex information that is pitched appropriately for the intended audience. As a leader of his team and an academic, Simon's ethos is that managerial excellence and academic excellence are not mutually exclusive. He is in regular demand as a speaker at national and international conferences and is a widely published author of both textbooks and peer reviewed papers with a variety of collaborators from across the world of sport management.
Specialist areas of interest
Financial and economic evaluations in the sport and leisure industries
Economic impact analysis of major events
Programme evaluations
Participation data analysis including culture and countryside recreation
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ design and implementation
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
Sport England's National Benchmarking Service
The economic impact of The Open Golf Championship
UK Sport Road to Rio events' series
School Games
RFU All Schools
RFU Spirit of 2012
S Shibli, T Kokolakakis and L Davies (2014), Child taking part survey: multivariate analysis of the determinants of child participation in arts, sport, heritage, museums and libraries
UK Sport
Sport England
Sport Northern Ireland
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club
The Rugby Football Union
The Free University of Brussels
The University of Utrecht
Victoria University, Melbourne
Waseda University, Tokyo
Publications
Journal articles
Descheemaeker, K., De Bosscher, V., Shibli, S., & van Bottenburg, M. (2025). . Managing Sport and Leisure, 1-17.
De Bosscher, V., Descheemaeker, K., & Shibli, S. (2023). . European Journal of Sport Sciences, 3 (5), 9-19.
Ricour, M., De Bosscher, V., & Shibli, S. (2023). . International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics.
Taylor, P., & Shibli, S. (2022). . European Sport Management Quarterly.
De Bosscher, V., Shibli, S., & De Rycke, J. (2021). . European Sport Management Quarterly.
Shibli, S., Ramchandani, G., & Davies, L. (2021). . European Sport Management Quarterly.
Castellanos-GarcÃa, P., Kokolakakis, T., Shibli, S., Downward, P., & Bingham, J. (2021). . International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 13 (1), 105-122.
Funahashi, H., Shibli, S., Sotiriadou, P., Mäkinen, J., Dijk, B., & De Bosscher, V. (2019). . Sport management review.
Shibli, S. (2019). Strategic analysis of medal markets at the Winter Olympics: Introducing an index to analyse the market potential of sports disciplines. Team Performance Management: An International Journal.
Plumley, D., Wilson, R., Millar, R., & Shibli, S. (2019). . International Journal of Financial Studies, 7 (1), 11.
De Bosscher, V., Shibli, S., & Weber, A.C. (2018). . European Sport Management Quarterly, 19 (2), 221-243.
Ramchandani, G., Shibli, S., & Kung, S.P. (2018). . International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 10 (1), 95-111.
Griffiths, K., Bullough, S., Shibli, S., & Wilson, J. (2017). . International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 9 (3), 431-451.
Weber, A.C., Kempf, H., Shibli, S., & De Bosscher, V. (2017). . Managing Sport and Leisure, 21 (6), 399-420.
Plumley, D.J., Wilson, R., & Shibli, S. (2017). . Journal of Applied Sport Management, 9 (1).
De Bosscher, V., Shibli, S., Westerbeek, H., & van Bottenburg, M. (2016). Journal of Global Sport Management, 1 (3-4), 70-89.
Ramchandani, G., Davies, L., Coleman, R., Shibli, S., & Bingham, J. (2015). . European Sport Management Quarterly, 15 (1), 93-110.
Nevill, A., Donnelly, P., Shibli, S., Foster, C., & Murphy, M. (2014). . Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 11 (2), 339-347.
Murphy, M.H., Donnelly, P., Breslin, G., Shibli, S., & Nevill, A.M. (2013). . BMC public health, 13 (1), 966.
Murphy, M.H., Donnelly, P., Shibli, S., Foster, C., & Nevill, A.M. (2012). . Preventive Medicine, 54 (2), 140-144.
Shibli, S., Gratton, C., & Bingham, J. (2012). . Managing Leisure, 17 (2-3), 274-290.
Shibli, S., Gratton, C., & Bingham, J. (2012). A forecast of the performance of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the London 2012 Olympic Games. Managing Leisure, 17 (2-3), 274-290.
De Bosscher, V., Shibli, S., van Bottenburg, M., De Knop, P., & Truyens, J. (2010). . Journal of Sport Management, 24 (5), 567-600.
Liu, Y.-.D., Taylor, P., & Shibli, S. (2009). . International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing (IJSMM), 6 (3), 229-252.
De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., van Bottenburg, M., Shibli, S., & Bingham, J. (2009). . Sport Management Review, 12 (3), 113-136.
Liu, Y.-.D., Taylor, P., & Shibli, S. (2009). . European Sport Management Quarterly, 9 (1), 3-21.
Liu, Y.-.D., Taylor, P., & Shibli, S. (2008). . Managing Leisure, 13 (3-4), 189-206.
Shibli, S., & Bingham, J. (2008). . Managing Leisure, 13 (3-4), 272-292.
De Bosscher, V., Heyndels, B., De Knop, P., van Bottenburg, M., & Shibli, S. (2008). . BELGEO, 9 (2), 1-18.
De Bosscher, V., Heyndels, B., De Knop, P., van Bottenburg, M., & Shibli, S. (2008). The paradox of measuring success of nations in elite sport. Belgeo, (2), 217-234.
Liu, Y.-.D., Taylor, P., & Shibli, S. (2007). . Managing Leisure, 12 (4), 251-272.
Barlow, M., & Shibli, S. (2007). . Managing Leisure, 12 (2-3), 102-119.
Gratton, C., Shibli, S., & Coleman, R. (2006). . The Sociological Review, 54 (S2), 41-58.
De Bosscher, V., De Knop, P., Van Bottenburg, M., & Shibli, S. (2006). . European Sport Management Quarterly, 6 (2), 185-215.
Mulder, C., Shibli, S., & Hale, J. (2006). . Managing Leisure, 11 (2), 96-115.
Mulder, C., Shibli, S., & Hale, J. (2005). Managing Leisure, 10 (2), 106-127.
Shibli, S., & Coleman, R. (2005). . International Journal of Event Management Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, 1 (1), 13-29.
Gratton, C., Shibli, S., & Coleman, R. (2005). . Urban Studies, 42 (5/6), 985-999.
Solberg, H., Andersson, T., & Shibli, S. (2002). . Event Management, 7 (3), 151-164.
Gratton, C., Dobson, N., & Shibli, S. (2000). . Managing Leisure, 5 (1), 17-28.
Shibli, S., & Gratton, C. (1999). . International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship, 1 (3).
Kokolakakis, T., Shibli, S., Taylor, P., Gratton, C., & Nichols, G. (1999). The characteristics of volunteers in UK sports clubs. European journal of sport management, 6.
Shibli, S., & Wilkinson-Riddle, G.J. (1998). . Managing Leisure, 3 (2), 85-97.
Owen, E., & Shibli, S. (1998). . Managing Leisure, 3 (4), 181-193.
Nichols, G., Gratton, C., Shibli, S., & Taylor, P. (1998). . Managing Leisure, 3 (3), 119-127.
Shibli, S., & Owen, E. (1998). . International Journal of Market Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, 40 (3).
Conference papers
Plumley, D., Wilson, R., Millar, R., & Shibli, S. (2019). . In European Association for Sport Management, (pp. 43-45). EASM
Kokolakakis, T., Shibli, S., Garcia, C., Downward, P., Wicker, P., & Bingham, J. (2019). The 'Trickle-Down' Effect On Sports Club Membership in the UK. In 27th EASM European Sport Management Conference, Seville 3-6 September 2020.
Kokolakakis, T., Garcia, C., Downward, P., Shibli, S., Wicker, P., & Bingham, J. (2019). The 'Trickle-Down' Effect On Sports Club Membership in the UK. In 11th ESEA Conference, Gijon, Spain.
Shibli, S., Ramchandani, G., Davies, L., Downward, P., & Bingham, J. (2018). The impact of elite sporting success on national pride in England. In European Association of Sport Management, Malmo, 5 September 2018 - 8 September 2018. EASM
Shibli, S., Wilson, J., Bullough, S., & Griffiths, K. (2014). The impact of sport on graduate employability. In European Association for Sport Management, Coventry Business School, 9 September 2014 - 13 September 2014.
Ramchandani, G., Davies, L., Coleman, R., Shibli, S., & Bingham, J. (2013). Limited or lasting legacy? The effect of non-mega sport event attendance on participation. In European Association for Sport Management, Istanbul. EASM
Donnelly, P., Coleman, R., Gregory, M., Shibli, S., & Wilson, D. (2006). An evaluation of the pilot community sport programme in Northern Ireland. In 14th EASM Congress, Nicosia, Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Book chapters
Ferguson, K., Donnelly, P., Heyburn, R., & Shibli, S. (2023). Sport Policy in Northern Ireland. In Sport Policy Across the United Kingdom. (pp. 83-107). Routledge:
van der Roest, J.W., De Bosscher, V.D., & Shibli, S. (2022). High-performance sport systems: Current developments and future challenges. In A Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Agenda for Sport Management. (pp. 149-166).
Ramchandani, G., Shibli, S., & Kung, S.P. (2020). The performance of local authority sports facilities in England during a period of recession and austerity. In Sport Policy and Politics in an Era of Austerity. Routledge
Shibli, S., & Wilson, R. (2018). Budgeting and budgetary control in sport. In Managing Sport Business. (pp. 271-295). Routledge:
Ramchandani, G., Coleman, R., Davies, L., Shibli, S., & Bingham, J. (2017). . In Lundberg, E., Armbrecht, J., Andersson, T.D., & Getz, D. (Eds.) The value of events. (pp. 136-158). Abingdon: Routledge:
(2013). Sports management: a forecast of the performance of China in the Beijing Olympic Games 2008 and the underlying performance management issues. In The Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Process in Sport, Exercise and Health. (pp. 62-83). Routledge:
Shibli, S., de Bosscher, V., & van Bottenburg, M. (2013). Measuring and forecasting elite sporting success. In Routledge Handbook of Sport Policy. (pp. 212-224).
De Bosscher, V., Truyens, J., van Bottenburg, M., & Shibli, S. (2013). Comparing apples with oranges in international elite sport studies: is it possible? In Handbook of Ï㽶ÊÓƵ on Sport and Business. Edward Elgar Publishing:
Shibli, S., & Wilson, R. (2011). . In Trenberth, L., & Hassan, D. (Eds.) Managing sport business : an introduction. (pp. 185-208). Routledge:
Gratton, C., Shibli, S., & Coleman, R. (2007). The economics of sport tourism at major sports events. In Sport Tourism Destinations: Issues, opportunities and analysis. (pp. 233-247).
(n.d.). Routledge Handbook of Theory in Sport Management. Routledge:
(n.d.). Managing Voluntary Sport Organizations. Routledge:
Higham, J. (n.d.). Sport Tourism Destinations. Routledge:
Henry, I. (n.d.). Routledge Handbook of Sport Policy. Routledge:
Books
de Bosscher, V., Shibli, S., Westerbeek, H., & van Bottenburg, M. (2015). . Meyer & Meyer Sport.
Schwatz, E.C., Hall, S.A., & Shibli, S. (2010). . Oxford, England: Butterworth-Heinemann.
De Bosscher, V., Bingham, J., Shibli, S., Bottenburg, M.V., & De Knop, P. (2007). . Meyer & Meyer Sport.
Shibli, S., & Robbins, D. (1995). . London: Longman.
Hall, S., Shibli, S., & Schwarz, E. (n.d.). Sport Facility Operations Management. Routledge.
Reports
Kokolakakis, T., & Shibli, S. (2025). A Satellite Account for Golf in Ireland.
Kokolakakis, T., & Shibli, S. (2022). A Satellite Account for Golf in the UK.
De Bosscher, V., & Shibli, S. (2021). . Vrije Universiteit Brussel, SPLISS.
Shibli, S., Gumber, A., Edmondson, L., & Kung, S.P. (2021). Sport Ireland Data Mining: Mining of existing datasets related to sport and physical activity participation. SIRC, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Shibli, S., Gumber, A., & Ramchandani, G. (2021). . UK Sport, Sport England, sportscotland, Sport Wales and Sport Northern Ireland.
Shibli, S., & Coleman, R. (2020). The rateable value of golf courses and their premises: A response to the Government’s Call for Evidence for the fundamental review of Business Rates. The R&A.
Shibli, S., Coleman, R., Kokolakakis, T., & Edmondson, L. (2020). COVID-19 AND EVIDENCE OF ITS IMPACT ON GOLF - Response to the DCMS Select Committee on Sport. The R&A.
Vernon, T., Quirke, H., Jones, G., Daly-Smith, A., Broom, D., O'Hagan, C., ... Shibli, S. (2019). Active Lives Children and Young People Comparison Study.
Kokolakakis, T., Shibli, S., Downward, P., Wicker, P., & Garcia, P.C. (2019). Replicating the Weimar et al 2015 Study.
Shibli, S., Davies, L., Gregory, M., Ramchandani, G., & Hart, G. (2018). Run Birmingham evaluation. Birmingham City Council.
Davies, L., Ramchandani, G., & Shibli, S. (2018). Measuring social value using the National Benchmarking Service in England. Sport England.
Bullough, S., Hart, G., Barrett, D., & Shibli, S. (2017). School Games Mark Award quality assurance 2016/17.
Bullough, S., Shibli, S., & Gregory, M. (2017). Parklife Hubs Sheffield community impact.
Davies, L., Shibli, S., Kokolakakis, T., & Ramchandani, G. (2017). Active Lives Adult Survey: Understanding mental wellbeing, individual development and social and community development in the context of participation and volunteering in sport and physical activity. Sport England.
Kokolakakis, T., Davis, L., Shibli, S., & Ramchandani, G. (2017). Mental wellbeing, individual and community development analysis.Presentation.
Bullough, S., & Shibli, S. (2017). Sport England Parklife Football Hubs.
Kokolakakis, T., & Shibli, S. (2017). The Economic Importance of Olympic and Paralympic Sport.
Shibli, S., Davies, L., Ramchandani, G., & Downward, P. (2017). The social value of medal success. UK Sport.
Davies, L., Shibli, S., Kokolakakis, T., Griffiths, K., & Ramchandani, G. (2017). Active Lives Adult Survey: Understanding mental wellbeing, individual development and social and community development in the context of participation and volunteering in sport and physical activity (May 16-17). Technical report. Sport England.
Kokolakakis, T., & Shibli, S. (2016). A Satellite Account for Golf in the Republic of Ireland.
Kokolakakis, T., & Shibli, S. (2016). A Satellite Account for Golf in the UK.
Bullough, S., Hart, G., Barrett, D., & Shibli, S. (2016). School Games Mark Award Quality Assurance 2015/16.
Davies, L., Shibli, S., & Griffiths, K. (2016). Social impact of golf: Desk study and insight brief. England Golf Partnership.
Hart, G., Shibli, S., Bullough, S., & Barrett, D. (2015). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Bullough, S., Hart, G., Barrett, D., & Shibli, S. (2015). School Games Mark Award Quality Assurance 2014/15.
Bullough, S., Shibli, S., & Griffiths, K. (2015). BUCS employability assessment. BUCS.
Shibli, S., Ramchandani, G., & Davies, L. (2015). An analysis of Northern Ireland’s performance in the Commonwealth Games: 1950-2014. Sport Northern Ireland.
Bullough, S., Shibli, S., & Griffiths, K. (2015). I Will If You Will Bury Sport England pilot.
Shibli, S., Davies, L., Gregory, M., & Coalter, F. (2015). Sport for Development measurement framework. Sport England.
Shibli, S., Ramchandani, G., & Davies, L. (2015). An analysis of Wales’ performance in the Commonwealth Games: 1950-2014. Sport Wales.
Bullough, S., & Shibli, S. (2015). Places People Play evaluation (2013-2015).
Shibli, S., Ramchandani, G., & Davies, L. (2014). An analysis of Scotland’s performance in the Commonwealth Games. sportscotland.
Shibli, S., Kokolakakis, T., & Davies, L. (2014). Child taking part survey: multivariate analysis of the determinants of child participation in arts, sport, heritage, museums and libraries. DCMS.
Bullough, S., Hart, G., Barrett, D., & Shibli, S. (2013). School Games Mark Award quality assurance 2012/13.
Bullough, S., & Shibli, S. (2012). Barking and Dagenham Free Swimming.
Bullough, S., Shibli, S., Barrett, D., & Hart, G. (2012). Kitemarking - School Games Pilot 2011/12.
Shibli, S., Coleman, R., & Bullough, S. (2012). Sport Policy Factors Leading to International Sporting Success - An audit of the elite sport development system in Northern Ireland in 2010. Sport Northern Ireland, DCAL, NI Executive.
Shibli, S., Bullough, S., Coleman, R., Gregory, M., Ramchandani, G., & Hart, G. (2011). Everyday Swim Good Practice Centres (2009-11).
Shibli, S., Bullough, S., Coleman, R., Gregory, M., Hart, G., & Ramchandani, G. (2009). . Amateur Swimming Association.
Shibli, S., Bullough, S., Ramchandani, G., & Coleman, R. (2009). UK Sport Survey of World Class Athletes 2009.
Shibli, S., Coleman, R., Ramchandani, G., & Bullough, S. (2008). UK Sport Survey of World Class Athletes 2007. UK Sport.
Coleman, R., & Shibli, S. (2007). Measuring Success 3: The economic impact of six major sports events supported by the world class events programme in 2005 & 2006. (3). UK Sport.
Shibli, S. (2005). An Economic Impact Assessment of Major Sports Events Staged at Headingley Stadium.
Coleman, R. (2004). Measuring Success 2: The Economic Impact of Major Sports Events. London: UK Sport.
Theses / Dissertations
Smith, A. (2020). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Shibli, S.
De Sousa, R.D.D. (2019). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Shibli, S.
Thongchundee, O. (2019). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Khatab, K., & Shibli, S.
Blackshaw, S. (2016). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Shibli, S., Fielding-Lloyd, B., & Woodhouse, D.
Shibli, S. (2015). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Davies, L.
Ramchandani, G. (2014). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Shibli, S.
Plumley, D.J. (2014). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Shibli, S., & Wilson, R.
Donnelly, P.F. (2013). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Shibli, S., & Dobson, J.
Donlan, L.K. (2008). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Gratton, C., & Shibli, S.
Internet Publications
Copeland, R.J., Flint, S., Nevill, A., Wheat, J., Breckon, K., Maynard, I., ... Stevens, H. (2020). A tribute to Professor Edward Winter.
Presentations
Shibli, S., & Coleman, R. (2002). The Economic Impact Associated with a Marathon - Lessons from London. Presented at: Vienna City Marathon Conference, Vienna, 2002
Other publications
Coleman, R., Ramchandani, G., Shibli, S., Munday, M., Jones, C., & Brown, A. (2010). . Event Impacts:
Other activities
Director and chair of Forced Entertainment Ltd
Postgraduate supervision
5 current full and part time students
7 PhD completions
1 MPhil completion
Media
Simon specialises in the economic and financial aspects of the sport and leisure industries, with a particular focus on the impact of major sporting events. He leads the Sports Industry Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Centre (SIRC) team at the University and is also a qualified management accountant.