ESA Top Graduate leads the way as 58 students graduate with Dip ESA qualification

The European Sponsorship Association is extremely proud to announce the results of the 2025 ESA Diploma.

The successful completion of the course by another 58 successful students has taken the alumni total above 830 since the prestigious qualification was launched in 2012.

Four Distinctions were achieved this year, with special recognition for Clémentine de Bibikoff, who doubled up with the prestigious accolades of Top Graduate and Top Set Brief, recording the second-highest mark in the history of the course (81.09%). Distinctions were also attained by George Burford, Sophie Boiling and Emma Beeson.

 Twenty-four students earned a Highly Commended rating, including an Olympian and a Paralympian - swimmer Caitlin McClatchey and wheelchair rugby player Mandip Sehmi. Current captain of the Ireland men's Test cricket team, Andrew Balbirnie, also achieved a pass while balancing his studies with his full-time sporting commitments.

Eight countries were represented on the course, which takes place online over a period of eight months each year, including a first student from Serbia.

All graduates will be eligible to use the prestigious Dip ESA suffix and to network with fellow accredited professionals among the ESA Diploma Alumni Society, launched in 2022. 

From next year, the course will be renamed. The 2026 ESA Sponsorship Diploma is now open for enrolment with a £500 early bird discount (plus additional ESA member discounts) for those who sign up by 28 November 2025.

Course Director Peter Raymond said: "Another extremely pleasing year of achievement for this year's highly engaged and conscientious class. Some outstanding performances, with very special mention to our exceptional Top Graduate, Clémentine, whose performance deserves the highest praise.

"Yet again, this year's Diploma class has demonstrated the invaluable place in our community for top-quality training which continues to complement the development of so many leading practitioners in the sponsorship industry.

"The high regard in which this course is held across the industry is deeply rewarding but something we never take for granted. I'm already confident that next year's course will be transformative for the many people we are looking forward to welcoming in January."

ESA Chair Sophie Morris added: "Congratulations to all the 2025 ESA Diploma graduates. Today marks the culmination of months of hard work, collaboration and learning. Each graduate can take pride in the knowledge and connections they've gained and the opportunities that now lie ahead.

"The ESA Sponsorship Diploma is a world-renowned course at the vanguard of our professional development programme, which aims to offer all sponsorship professionals a qualification for every stage of their career journey."

Key dates

• ESA Sponsorship Diploma enrolment (early bird): 28 November 2025

• Scholarship application deadline: 28 November 2025

• ESA Sponsorship Diploma enrolment (final): 22 January 2026

• Course begins: 23 January 2026

To reinforce ESA's commitment to a diverse and progressive workforce in our industry, the ESA Sponsorship Diploma Scholarship offers free tuition to successful candidates who meet the criteria (and pass an interview with the Education workstream). ESA is committed to developing an inclusive sponsorship community and welcomes applications for the 2026 Scholarship by 28 November 2025.

-ENDS-

About ESA

The European Sponsorship Association (ESA) is the essential and inclusive community for all professionals working in sponsorship. A not-for-profit membership association, ESA supports the industry through education, guidance, representation, the recognition of excellence and the sharing of best practice and performance.

ESA's reach encompasses all types of sponsorship activity from sport, broadcast, education, charity, the arts and culture, to environment and the community. Its members include sponsors, rights holders, agencies and consultants, professional advisors and suppliers. Visit sponsorship.org for more information.

For media queries, please contact:

Jonathan Coates | ESA Marketing, Communications and Events Manager

[email protected] | +44 (0) 7788 352219