Cardiff Property Advisory Firm Backs Promising Young Welsh Sprinter
Cooke & Arkwright, the largest independent commercial property advisory firm in Wales, has entered the world of sports sponsorship for the first time. The Cardiff-based company has announced it is sponsoring 19-year-old sprinter Jess Mantle from Barry, marking a significant new partnership that supports emerging athletic talent in Wales.
From Barry to the Track: Jess Mantle's Athletic Journey
Jess Mantle's sporting career began in her hometown of Barry, where she initially focused on football and worked as a beach lifeguard. These early experiences helped cultivate her passion for athletics. She started her formal track career with Barry Harriers before joining Cardiff Athletics Club at age 14, where she now specializes in the 100-meter sprint.
Alongside her rigorous training schedule, Mantle is currently studying sports science in Cardiff. She also dedicates her spare time to coaching the next generation of sprinters, demonstrating her commitment to both her own development and the future of Welsh athletics.
A Breakthrough Year of Achievements
The year 2025 proved to be a remarkable breakthrough period for the young athlete, establishing her as one of Wales's most exciting emerging talents. Her accomplishments include:
- Securing a silver medal in the 4x100m relay at the European U20 Championships in Helsinki as part of Team GB
- Winning bronze in the 60m at the Junior British Indoor Championships
- Earning the Welsh senior 60m title in Cardiff
- Claiming victory in the U20 100m in Swansea
- Capturing silver in the 100m at the British U20 Championships in Birmingham
- Finishing ninth in the 100m at the European U20 Championships
These achievements have solidified her reputation as one of Wales's most promising sprint talents with significant potential for future success.
Partnership Built on Shared Values
Jess Mantle expressed her enthusiasm about the new partnership, stating: "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, explained the firm's motivation for the sponsorship: "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."
This sponsorship represents Cooke & Arkwright's first venture into athlete support, signaling the company's commitment to investing in Welsh talent beyond the commercial property sector. The partnership comes at a crucial time as Mantle prepares for upcoming championships while balancing her academic studies and coaching responsibilities.
