Eni Aluko

Eniola Aluko MBE is a pioneering sports executive, investor, and former England international footballer who has transformed from elite athlete to influential business leader reshaping the global women's football landscape. As investor and strategic advisor at Mercury 13, the world's first dedicated women's football investment group with a $100 million fund, she has made history as the first Black woman to attain ownership stakes in an Italian football club through the acquisition of FC Como Women.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, and raised in England, Aluko earned 104 caps for England across an 11-year international career, representing Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics. She graduated with First Class Honours in Law from Brunel University in 2008 and qualified as a UK solicitor, bringing unique legal expertise to her business ventures. Her playing career spanned elite clubs including Chelsea, Juventus, and Birmingham City, winning three WSL titles and four Women's FA Cups.

Following retirement, Aluko transitioned seamlessly into executive leadership, serving as Sporting Director at Aston Villa Women and later as the inaugural Sporting Director at Angel City FC in Los Angeles, where she helped build one of women's sports' most commercially successful franchises. Her £1.2 million budget at Angel City enabled six-figure player salaries, demonstrating her ability to operate at the highest levels of professional sports management.

Through Mercury 13, Aluko is revolutionizing women's football investment by targeting independent clubs across Europe and Latin America, implementing innovative commercial strategies that prioritize female audiences over traditional male football models. Her approach emphasizes luxury experiences, strategic brand partnerships with companies like Nike and WeAre8, and sustainable development that creates long-term value.

Beyond football, Aluko serves as a board advisor to MediaCom's Creative Systems unit, focusing on expanding women's sports marketing globally. She maintains high-profile ambassadorships with Adidas and serves as a trustee for charity: water, supporting clean water initiatives across Africa. Her commitment to education includes establishing the £60,000 Hyphen Scholarship at Brunel University, supporting law and sports students from diverse backgrounds.

A sought-after broadcaster and keynote speaker, Aluko regularly appears as a football analyst for ITV, BBC, and Sky Sports, while delivering presentations at major corporations including Bloomberg, McKinsey, and Barclays on topics spanning high performance, diversity, and women's leadership. She was awarded an MBE in November 2023 for services to football and charity.

Aluko's entrepreneurial ventures include Hyphenated People, a travel and culture brand celebrating multicultural identity, launching on WhatsApp Channels to create safe, community-focused content experiences. Her investment philosophy centers on purpose-driven opportunities that align with her values around African development, women's empowerment, and social impact.

Currently based in London, Aluko continues expanding her influence across sports business, investment, and media while championing diversity and inclusion throughout the sports industry.