Goalhanger Strengthens Leadership with Three Key Executive Hires in 2025

Goalhanger, the fast-growing podcast and media company, has announced three key leadership appointments. The new hires include Chloe Straw as Director of Operations, Andy Hodgson as Chief Financial Officer, and Emily Kent Smith as Editorial Director. These additions come as the company builds on its record-breaking success in 2025.

Chloe Straw joins Goalhanger after serving as CEO of AudioUK, where she secured the audio industry's first seat on the Creative Industries Council. She also launched AudioTrain, a training initiative for audio professionals. Notably, she brokered strategic partnerships with public bodies—a first for a major media company in her role.

Andy Hodgson brings financial expertise from his time as CFO at several UK scale-ups. He also spent five years at Uber, leading regional financial strategy. His experience in scaling businesses will support Goalhanger's continued expansion. Emily Kent Smith arrives with a strong editorial background. She previously worked as Associate Editor at *The Sunday Times* and Deputy News Editor at *The Daily Mail*. Her leadership in newsrooms will guide Goalhanger's content direction. The appointments follow a milestone year for the company. In 2025, Goalhanger surpassed 750 million full-episode streams. It also partnered with Netflix to bring *The Rest Is Football* to the platform ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Co-founders Tony Pastor and Jack Davenport welcomed the new team. They highlighted the hires' industry leadership, creative instincts, and ability to build scalable organisations. Straw, Hodgson, and Smith will now lead their respective teams in shaping Goalhanger's next phase.

The new leadership team takes charge at a pivotal moment for Goalhanger. Their combined experience in operations, finance, and editorial will drive the company's strategy forward. The appointments follow a year of record growth and high-profile partnerships for the media group.