Cooke & Arkwright announces first-ever athlete sponsorship

Daniel Bevan - Editor

Subscribe to the Businessin Wales daily newsletter for FREE here.

Cooke & Arkwright has announced its first-ever athlete sponsorship, partnering with 19-year-old Welsh sprinter Jess Mantle as part of a move to support emerging talent in Wales.

The independent commercial property advisory firm, the largest of its kind in Wales, said the partnership reflects shared values around ambition, performance and long-term development.

Mantle, who is from Barry, competes in the 100m sprint and is a member of Cardiff Athletics Club, having previously started her athletics career with Barry Harriers.

Alongside her training, she is studying Sports Science in Cardiff and coaches young sprinters in her spare time.

The sponsorship follows a breakthrough year for Mantle in 2025.

She won a silver medal in the 4x100m relay at the European Under-20 Championships in Helsinki as part of Team GB and claimed bronze in the 60m at the Junior British Indoor Championships.

She also secured the Welsh Senior 60m title in Cardiff, won the Under-20 100m in Swansea and took silver in the 100m at the British Under-20 Championships in Birmingham.

She finished ninth in the 100m at the European Under-20 Championships.

Mantle is set to compete at the Welsh Championships in Cardiff on 7 February, followed by the British Championships in Birmingham, and will continue her development through the UK Futures Programme.

She is targeting the European Under-23 Championships in Poland in 2027.

Mantle said: “I’m really proud to be partnering with Cooke & Arkwright as their sponsored athlete.

“Having the support of a Welsh company that believes in me means a lot as I push towards the next stage of my career.

“I’m incredibly grateful for this partnership and look forward to the upcoming championships and sharing my progress along the way.”

Ben Bolton, Director at Cooke & Arkwright, said: “Jess represents everything we value as a firm – ambition, resilience and a commitment to supporting future talent in Wales.

“We are delighted to be supporting her as she builds on her impressive achievements.

“Her story is inspiring, and her drive both on the track and in her coaching work makes her an exceptional role model. We’re excited to support her journey and look forward to celebrating her continued success.”