The partnership between Bristol Sport and Xledger, the global cloud-based finance software provider with its UK headquarters in the city, has been extended for a third season in a row.
While continuing as official sponsor of the South Stand at Bristol Sport’s Ashton Gate Stadium – home to the Bristol Bears rugby club and Bristol City FC – and official academy sponsor to the Bristol Bears, Xledger will also be principal partner and official sponsor of the Bristol Bears Women, pictured. 
In addition, the software provider will sponsor the club’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) programme, further underlining its commitment to support young players across both the men’s and women’s games.
The CoE programme includes an academy for 15 to 18-year-old girls with the aim of developing them as players and as athletes. CoE forms part of the Women’s performance pathway and feeds into the England U18/U20 programmes.
Xledger sales and marketing director Ian Halliwell, pictured, said, as an organisation, the firm looked to build long-lasting relationships through connection and collaboration.
“As a leading supporter of sport in the city, Xledger continues to recognise the power of rugby in delivering positive social impact to communities and young people across the region,” he said.
“In the same way as Xledger strives to wow its clients through product, process and people, it’s impossible not to be excited by the direction and environment at Bristol Bears and play our part in empowering that ambition. 
“Xledger’s culture is central to our organisation. It’s about enthusiasm and it’s about being fun, and we have loved engaging with Bristol Sport across a number of activations.
“There’s added anticipation this season with the opportunity to support one of the best women’s programmes in the country.”
Bears chief executive Mark Tainton added: “The relationship with Xledger is special – they have taken a hands-on approach and provided outstanding support to the club.
“From helping our academy scholars through strategic internships at their Bristol office to now supporting Bristol Bears Women as we take the next step in aligning at the Bears High Performance Centre, Xledger understand the value of culture and clarity of vision.”
Xledger provides cloud-based finance software for more than 10,000 mid-market customers in 60-plus countries.
In April it was named as the country’s third best small company to work for in the 2021 edition of the UK’s Best Workplaces publication. It was also the top-ranked tech company in the table.
It has become one of Bristol’s fastest-growing businesses over the recent years and, having moved into 11,000 sq ft of newly renovated Grade A office space at Tower Wharf, off Temple Way, last year, is currently embarking on another period of significant expansion.
