Drew Cook has been a passionate wrestling fan since the late 1980s—a lifelong enthusiasm that continues to shape his work across sport and entertainment. As a FIFA-licensed football agent and founder of Excelsior Pro, Drew has spent years guiding players through the professional game, while also establishing a strong track record in hospitality and live events. His career has included consulting on the operation of over 100 venues and producing pop-up gigs for artists such as Oasis, Squeeze, Kaiser Chiefs, and Van Morrison.

With the launch of Excelsior SE, Drew is now channelling his experience into the world of Sports Entertainment—with a focus on the powerful crossover between sport, media, and live performance. Wrestling remains a lifelong passion, and through Maximum Pro Wrestling, he’s helping to create something that captures the energy, storytelling, and spectacle of the sport for new generations of fans.

George Dixon is an internationally recognised editorial leader with a career spanning senior roles at the BBC, Channel 4, and RTÉ. Known for his bold content strategy and creative leadership, George has shaped some of the most successful TV brands in the UK and Ireland—driving both audience growth and commercial success across linear and streaming platforms.

At the BBC, he launched hits like Sherlock, Luther, and the revamped Top Gear, and led the scheduling strategy that helped BBC One become the UK’s top channel. He pioneered event drama with Criminal Justice starring Ben Whishaw, drawing 5.2 million viewers across its run. As Channel Controller of RTÉ One, he modernised the network and reversed a four-year commercial decline. At Channel 4, he played a key role in launching global favourites including Gogglebox, Top Boy, Black Mirror, and 24 Hours in A&E.

Now as Head of Format Development at Maximum Pro Wrestling, George brings his storytelling expertise and programming vision to the world of sports entertainment—crafting formats that excite fans and captivate new audiences.

Aron Bently is a seasoned event professional with over 15 years of experience delivering large-scale productions across Europe and the Middle East. As the founder of True Story, he has led high-profile projects for some of the world’s biggest brands across industries including Financial Services, Technology, Automotive, and FMCG—earning a reputation for seamless execution and standout creative delivery.

Aron’s deep understanding of live production, paired with his technical knowledge and razor-sharp organisational skills, make him a go-to figure in the world of experiential events. Whether orchestrating complex logistics or crafting high-impact audience experiences, he consistently delivers results that exceed expectations.

Now serving as Senior Event Planner for Maximum Pro Wrestling, Aron brings his expertise to the adrenaline-fuelled world of sports entertainment—ensuring every MPW show is not just an event, but a spectacle. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, he plays a key role in turning creative vision into unforgettable live experiences.

James Penfold is a seasoned expert in brand partnerships and commercial media strategy, with a career spanning major players like BT, Publicis Entertainment, and ITV. Throughout his career, he has specialised in unlocking the full potential of intellectual property—helping global brands amplify their reach through strategic licensing, content syndication, and experiential marketing.

James is known for his ability to craft innovative partnerships that align commercial goals with authentic audience engagement. Whether working with high-profile media franchises or shaping global campaign strategies, he brings a sharp commercial instinct and a creative mindset to every project.

As part of the Maximum Pro Wrestling team, James leads on brand integration and commercial development—helping to position MPW as both a thrilling entertainment property and a dynamic platform for strategic partnerships. His work ensures the brand continues to grow across new markets, platforms, and audiences.

Daniel Wood is an award-winning brand strategist and the visionary founder of the World Freestyle Football Association (WFFA)—a global governing body for freestyle football that now spans over 100 countries. With a deep background in sport, marketing, and brand development, Daniel has built a career around turning grassroots passion into internationally recognised platforms.

Daniel began his professional journey with Adidas and Reebok, before co-founding a pioneering athlete development initiative called Sports Evolution. After navigating the highs and lows of startup life—including an early bankruptcy that became a turning point—he set out to champion the underrepresented world of freestyle and street sports. In the process, he connected and collaborated with some of the biggest names in the scene, including Sean Garnier, John Farnworth, and Abbas Farid.

Through his work with Streets Utd, Daniel helped bring urban sports into the commercial spotlight—securing brand partnerships, launching international tours, and producing events that have drawn global audiences. With his glocal (global + local) approach to marketing and community building, he has shaped the freestyle football movement into a thriving, decentralised culture and sport.

Now, as Brand Marketing Lead at Maximum Pro Wrestling, Daniel brings his storytelling instincts, global network, and campaign expertise to the world of sports entertainment—building a brand that merges grassroots authenticity with high-impact spectacle.

DescriptionRich Dunn is a leading figure in UK professional wrestling, with a proven track record in growing live event brands and delivering large-scale touring productions. As the driving force behind New Generation Wrestling (NGW), Rich transformed the company from small community centre shows into the UK’s leading family-friendly wrestling brand—securing Europe’s biggest wrestling contract and staging nearly 100 shows annually at Butlin’s Holiday Resorts.

Under his leadership, NGW has become a benchmark for homegrown wrestling success, combining consistently strong live attendance with thriving commercial output—including the sale of over 100,000 merchandise units per year. Rich’s strategic vision and hands-on leadership have helped bring British wrestling back to the mainstream, including international TV exposure and national touring success.

In addition to his wrestling work, Rich also serves as COO of a digital media company, where he oversees talent management, branding, operations, logistics, venue booking, and team leadership—bringing a uniquely well-rounded skill set to every project.

As Senior Wrestling Lead for Maximum Pro Wrestling, Rich brings together deep industry knowledge, production experience, and commercial savvy to help deliver a premium wrestling experience that’s both fan-focused and operationally world-class.

Ivan Youlden is a distinguished multi‑camera director and live production expert with over 20 years of experience across high‑end television, global live events, and music touring. As the founder of I&You Productions, Ivan has collaborated with every major UK broadcaster—producing, directing, and shaping a range of hit programming and large‑scale live spectacles

His credits include directing multiple series of beloved formats such as The Great British Sewing Bee (including special editions and series 7–11), The Great British Bake Off, Britain’s Top Takeaways, The Weakest Link, Antiques Master, and more. He’s also directed major live music events like Capital FM Summertime & Jingle Bell Ball, broadcast live from London’s O₂ Arena, and tour productions including the Girls Aloud Tour 2024

Known for his technical precision, creative vision, and ability to thrive in high‑pressure environments, Ivan brings a wealth of expertise in both studio and live‑on‑location production. Whether handling multi‑camera programming or large‑scale experiential events, he consistently delivers engaging, polished broadcasts and live shows

As Senior Production Consultant for Maximum Pro Wrestling, Ivan applies his broadcast pedigree and event know‑how to elevate MPW’s live shows. Working alongside his team at I&You, he ensures every production combines technical excellence with dynamic storytelling—delivering world‑class entertainment, both live and on screen.

Dave Bradshaw is one of the most recognisable voices in independent wrestling, with over 15 years of experience as a play-by-play commentator across Europe, North America, and Asia. A lifelong fan of the sport, Dave has lent his voice to hundreds of live events, working with a wide range of promotions and talent. His commentary style—equal parts passionate, knowledgeable, and story-driven—has earned him a loyal following and a reputation as one of the most trusted narrators in the business.

Beyond the microphone, Dave is an NCTJ-qualified journalist and seasoned media professional. He regularly writes features for WrestleTalk Magazine, and is currently preparing to publish his debut book exploring the cultural evolution of professional wrestling. His career has also included work in news journalism, communications roles in the UK Parliament, and strategy and engagement work in the higher education sector—giving him a uniquely well-rounded skill set when it comes to storytelling, messaging, and public engagement.

Now serving as Head of Public Relations for Maximum Pro Wrestling, Dave combines his deep industry insight with sharp editorial instincts to lead MPW’s communications and content strategy. From developing press narratives and crafting written materials to overseeing social storytelling and coordinating the creative output across all channels, he plays a pivotal role in shaping how MPW is seen—and felt—by fans, media, and partners alike.