Personal profile
Summary
I am an Associate Professor in Accounting and Sport Finance in the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance in the Faculty of Business and Law.
My background is in practice as a forensic accountant for a Big Four firm and, prior to that, in audit. My research and teaching are focused on financial accounting, forensic accounting, and economic crime, particularly in relation to sport.
I am a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, a Certified Fraud Examiner, and a Fellow of the HEA (now Advance HE).
Biography
I am an Associate Professor in Accounting and Sport Finance and a Fellow Chartered Accountant of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
My football finance research has been used by the UK government to support reforms in football governance, and I have been on government and independent advisory panels on men’s and women’s football and on rugby. I have also published on sport finance, anti-corruption and governance in a number of high-ranking academic journals.
My teaching is focused on sport finance and forensic accounting. I also lead and deliver football finance courses for the Premier League's leadership programs, as well as for the League Managers Association and the Chartered Governance Institute.
Prior to joining the University in 2015, I worked as a forensic accountant for Deloitte in London following a training contract in audit at PKF (now BDO). My forensic accounting work included disputes and expert witness cases; fraud, insider trading, bribery, and corruption investigations; regulatory and US sanctions compliance work; and AML, compliance, and fraud risk reviews. During this time, I was also a member of accounting training teams, including acting as a financial expert for advocacy training for the Inner Temple.
Research Interests
I am interested in research in the areas where forensic accounting, financial accounting, corporate governance, and economic crime interact with sport.
My current research interests include:
- Corruption in sport
- Football finance
- Financial education of athletes
- Corporate and sport governance
Teaching Responsibilities
I teach and lead sport finance (Economics and Finance of Sport) and forensic accounting (Fraud Examination and Forensic Investigations; and Valuations and the Expert Report) modules. I also supervise PhD students in the areas of sport business and/or forensic accounting.
I lead the Premier League's Football Finance modules for their leadership programs, teach on the LMA Diploma (Football Finance) and on the Chartered Governance Institute's Certificate in Sports Governance (Risk, Compliance and Finance in Sports).
In prior years, I have taught both undergraduate and postgraduate modules, including Corporate Governance, Financial Crime, Ethics, and Controls; Introduction to Sport, Business and Management; Financial Forensics and Investigations; Financial Analysis and Modelling; Advanced Financial Accounting; Financial Crime and the Law; and Expert Witnessing and Dispute Resolution.
Media Availability
I am happy to take calls and emails from the media on my research. Please contact me directly on either [email protected] or +44 23 9284 4836.
Keywords
- HF5601 Accounting
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Towards a normative governance and accountability framework for English football
Middling, M., Philippou, C. & Lillystone, S., 6 Feb 2026, In: Accounting Auditing and Accountability Journal. 39, 1, p. 1-25 25 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
Anti-corruption and compliance: what sport can learn from and teach compliance functions
Philippou, C., 30 Jun 2025, Routledge Handbook of Anti-Corruption Research and Practice. Pozsgai-Alvarez , J. & Bratu, R. (eds.). Routledge, p. 81-95Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
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Euro 2025: women’s football has exploded – here’s how it can grow even more
Philippou, C., 2 Jul 2025, The Conversation.Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
Open Access -
FIFA Women’s World Cup lessons: Gender pay parity strengthens integrity
Ordway, C. & Philippou, C., 30 Jun 2025, Critical Perspectives on the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Events, Issues, Controversies. Beissel, A., Brice, J. E., Postlethwaite, V. & Grainger, A. (eds.). 1st ed. Routledge, 15 p. (Women, Sport and Physical Activity).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
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Financial impact of corporate social responsibility in sport: towards a research agenda
Philippou, C., 12 Feb 2025, Research Handbook on Corporate Social Responsibility in Sport. Anagnostopoulos, C. (ed.). Edward Elgar Publishing, p. 95-110Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
Thesis
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Anti-bribery and Corruption in International Sport Governing Bodies
Philippou, C. (Author), Hines, A. (Supervisor), Cox, A. J. (Supervisor) & Craig, R. (Supervisor), 18 May 2023Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis
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Projects
- 1 Finished
Activities
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Presentation at the APPG Football and APPG Women's Football for International Women's Day
Philippou, C. (Speaker)
3 Mar 2026Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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Presentation at Westminster Media Forum event: Next steps for football governance in England
Philippou, C. (Speaker)
18 Nov 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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Presentations at E.H.C. Hockey Business Forum 2025
Philippou, C. (Speaker)
28 Oct 2025 → 30 Oct 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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Invited speaker at Play the Game 2025
Philippou, C. (Speaker)
8 Oct 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
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Invited speaker at Play the Game 2025
Philippou, C. (Speaker)
7 Oct 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
Prizes
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Faculty R&I Dissemination Prize
Philippou, C. (Recipient), Jun 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Press/Media
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How Chelsea kicked off the ownership revolution that has transformed Wrexham
6/03/26
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert comment
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Michelle Kang and investment in women's sport
26/01/26
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert comment
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INEOS has invested £2.5bn in sport. But why so little interest in backing women?
22/12/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert comment