FIFA Master Alumni – Where are they now? – Francisco Porras Lima

Picture: Dr. Francisco Porras Lima (right) with FEI President and IOC Member, Ingmar De Vos

Dr. Francisco Porras Lima

Current Position: Director of Governance & Institutional Affairs at FEI (International Equestrian Federation)

Year of graduation: 2008 (8th Edition)

Nationality: Spanish

What does your current role involve?

I have been working with the FEI since 4 August 2008 (i.e. only 2 weeks after finishing the FIFA Master). During this time I have performed different roles within the organisation as an intern, legal counsel, senior legal counsel and Director of Governance & Institutional Affairs. This journey has definitely enriched my global vision and understanding of the organisation.

Governance of international sports federations is a high priority in today’s sports world agenda therefore I shall ensure that the FEI continues the work initiated about ten years ago and maintains the highest standard of good governance in its structure and daily functioning.

In my role as Governance & Institutional Affairs Director I offer support and advice to the FEI President and to the FEI Secretary General in facilitating effective decision making. Among my tasks I guarantee general compliance of the FEI with its rules, policies and processes; I oversee the functioning of policy decision making bodies including supervising the implementation of their main decisions; I offer support to the FEI President as IOC member; I manage the relationship with stakeholders, governmental and intergovernmental organisations and I supervise the National Federations’ membership.

Which aspects of the FIFA Master course have helped you most in your career?

The FIFA Master was the perfect conclusion to my academic career. After having defended my PhD in Public Law at the Università di Bologna (Italy), I decided to apply for the FIFA Master.

On an academic level, the FIFA Master offers a robust, complex and well defined curriculum covering all significant areas of sport. The program is taught by experienced professors and key speakers that are invited to share with the students their first hand and practical in-depth knowledge of sport. The different field visits to prestigious institutions are a perfect complement to the theoretical part.

On a professional level, the FIFA Master gave me the necessary tools and confidence to develop my career in the sports world. Its strong network is also a precious asset and has been of great benefit.

On a personal level, the FIFA Master allowed me to realise that my childhood dream of working in international sport was possible to be fulfilled. It also allowed me to find a few life-long friends. 

What advice would you give to future students on the course?

They should work hard, ask questions, be intellectually humble and professionally ambitious.

When assessing what job they might perform, they shall consider the following 3 aspects: 1) what projects they will be assigned; 2) what responsibilities they will be delegated, and; 3) what possibility of grow, both personally and professionally, the organization will offer them. A positive balance of these three variables shall allow them to make the right decision regardless how big or small the organization might be.

During their whole life as FIFA Master alumnus, they should aim to build up the stronger possible FIFA Master Alumni network.

FIFA Master - International Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, ranked No.1 Course in Europe 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018 by the SportBusiness International global rankings.

Organised by CIES in partnership with De Montfort University (United Kingdom), SDA Bocconi School of Management (Italy) and the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland).

Discover more examples of inspiring FIFA Master alumni career paths by clicking here.