Earlier this year, our Sports and Tech teams had the privilege of working on a very exciting deal with the team at FPT Software. As digital transformation continues to reshape industries worldwide, FPT Software stands at the forefront, driving innovation and forging strategic alliances that redefine the technological landscape.
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with David O’Brien and Mark Scrivens, key leaders at FPT Software, to explore the story behind one of the company’s most significant recent partnerships - a multi-year global digital transformation collaboration with Chelsea Football Club. This groundbreaking agreement not only marks a milestone for FPT Software as it expands its footprint in the sports and entertainment sectors, but it also highlights the vital role of expert legal guidance in shaping successful international partnerships.
Explore the full interview below.
1. Vietnam is often described as the “Silicon Delta.” How has the country’s rapid digital transformation shaped FPT’s global strategy and momentum?
From a struggling economy in the 1980s, Vietnam has emerged as a global innovation and investment hub. At the heart of this transformation is FPT, Vietnam’s pioneering IT company, aligning its strategy with the government’s push for a high-tech, green and digital economy.
FPT focuses on five key domains:
- Artificial intelligence: Recognised as an AI leader globally, FPT has over 12,000 AI specialists and is building a $170m AI Valley in central Vietnam. We have launched AI factories in Vietnam and Japan, and embed AI across all our offerings.
- Automotive: With more than 4,500 experts and 1,200 AUTOSAR specialists, FPT supports over 150 clients, including Volvo and Honda, achieving 30% year-on-year revenue growth.
- Semiconductors: FPT pioneered Vietnam’s commercial chips sector with over $70m worth of orders last year. And we trained over 1,600 students in this field in 2024 alone.
- Digital transformation: With more than $1bn in global IT revenue, FPT serves over 130 Fortune Global 500 firms across the healthcare, BFSI and automotive sectors.
- Green transformation: FPT delivers end-to-end carbon management solutions, from consulting to decarbonisation.
Vietnam’s geopolitical stability enhances FPT’s global appeal. In 2024, FPT saw 19.4% total revenue growth and 27.4% growth in global IT services. We secured major deals ($225m, $100m+) across the US, Europe and APAC, partnering with global leaders like NVIDIA, Microsoft and Airbus.
To meet rising tech talent demand, FPT invests in education through FPT University (which has over 152,000 students), with an emphasis on languages (English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese) and emerging technologies like AI, semiconductors and automotive software.
2. FPT is recognised for delivering agile, high-quality, AI-enabled software engineering across industries. Can you share examples of how your end-to-end IT services have transformed client operations, especially in Western markets?
At FPT, we deliver high-quality IT services to over 1,100 global enterprises, including more than 130 Fortune Global 500 companies, helping them tackle complex business challenges and seize new opportunities.
In our fast-growing Western markets—now a third of our global revenue—we’ve become a key partner for major players. For example, we’re one of Cox Automotive’s top three vendors, managing over 25 systems and replacing the work of 100 others. In aviation, FPT is one of only five global partners in Airbus’ Skywise ecosystem, supporting over 100 airlines with cost-saving, real-time data solutions. We also serve as the sole vendor for another major aircraft manufacturer, developing a digital Electronic Flight Bag used by millions of pilots.
Our investments in AI, cloud and data analytics power core IT systems for global clients. We helped a leading German chemical firm save millions by migrating thousands of servers to AWS, and partnered with E.ON to implement S/4 HANA ERP, cutting processing time by 50%.
FPT’s AI-enabled solutions drive next-level performance. VisionAI helped a North American manufacturer achieve 99% inspection accuracy, while our GenAI tools for a US financial firm cut search time by 60% and reduced decision-making from days to minutes, slashing costs by 30%.
3. FPT recently became Chelsea Football Club’s official digital transformation partner. What are the main objectives and expected outcomes of this partnership for both FPT and Chelsea?
The partnership between FPT and Chelsea FC aims to enhance Chelsea's digital capabilities by leveraging FPT's expertise and proven experience in digital technology, software development and AI. This collaboration seeks to transform how Chelsea engages with its global fan base, providing more immersive and personalised experiences both in-stadium and online. Additionally, FPT will support Chelsea FC's global growth ambitions by identifying and developing solutions that contribute to the club's sustainability goals and enhance performance and infrastructure.
The expected outcomes of this partnership include enhancing and accelerating performance across all aspects of Chelsea FC both on and off the field, delivering richer experiences for fans and bringing them closer to the club they love, through technology. We will provide domain-dedicated technological services for the Club, elevating its technology landscape, enhancing data-driven decisions and ensuring modernised, secure and efficient operations.
4. How will FPT’s technology enhance the experience for Chelsea fans and support the club’s broader digital and sustainability goals? What were some key drivers for FPT in putting the deal together?
Chelsea recognises the importance of reaching every single fan around the world and current and emerging technologies will be exploited to enhance the experience for all fans, whether at the stadium or watching at home. This is a significant focus for both Chelsea and FPT – to identify, test and deploy leading-edge capabilities that can impact fans everywhere.
FPT was driven by its commitment to innovation and excellence, aligning with Chelsea FC's vision. The partnership showcases FPT's expertise in AI and digital solutions on a global stage, enhancing our reputation and opening new market opportunities.
5. What does this high-profile partnership signal about FPT’s vision and long-term commitment to the UK and other western markets? How will the partnership help accelerate FPT’s strategic objectives?
Our partnership with Chelsea underscores FPT's vision and long-term commitment to the UK and other Western markets, showcasing its capability to drive digital innovation on a global scale.
These western markets have not traditionally had FPT in their sights, or Vietnam as a destination for the world's most advanced digital talent. That is changing rapidly and the timing of this partnership was by design – people will now recognise that FPT is the firm behind Chelsea’s digital transformation. This adds market brand visibility and highly relevant case studies as we push into sectors where we have decades of relevant expertise.
We expect that the partnership will also aid FPT’s momentum to expand footprint and strategic investments, including M&As and joint ventures, to enhance capabilities in key technology areas.
6. Fladgate advised FPT on its multi-year partnership with Chelsea. What was it like working with us on the deal? Any key takeaways or highlights?
A partnership of this scale required local expertise backed by global experience in both sports sponsorship and digital technology services. Fladgate emerged as the natural choice, bringing unmatched credentials that FPT leveraged through a highly collaborative approach to craft a pioneering deal structure. Of particular importance, was Fladgate’s ability to navigate all aspects of the partnership covering both the technology transformation and the sports law aspects of the deal.
Working closely with FPT’s lead negotiator and Chelsea’s in-house legal teams, Fladgate’s experts played a pivotal role in bringing this ambitious — and arguably unique — partnership to life. Chosen for their deep appreciation of the value of true collaboration, Fladgate demonstrated exceptional professionalism and a nuanced understanding of both FPT’s and Chelsea’s objectives, helping to shape agreements that deliver lasting value to both sides.
7. Looking ahead, what are FPT’s priorities for innovation and growth, both in Vietnam and globally? How do partnerships like the one with Chelsea help realise that vision?
FPT’s priorities for innovation and growth, both within Vietnam and on a global scale, centre around five key areas: AI, semiconductors, automotive, digital transformation and green transformation.
As Vietnam aims to become an AI nation, FPT has been playing an active role in elevating Vietnam’s position in the global AI landscape:
○ Continued FPT AI factory development in Vietnam, Japan and other potential Asian markets.
○ Continuing to deliver AI-enabled products and services to global clients. FPT sets a target for AI to be the next key growth driver from this year, aiming to serve 50% of Vietnamese citizens and 500 million global citizens through our AI-enabled services and solutions.
Partnerships like the one with Chelsea FC not only affirm FPT's technological prowess, but also play a crucial role in contributing to its long-term vision of becoming a global leader in digital transformation and an AI-driven corporation.
Mark Scrivens, CEO UK at FPT Software, comments: “It is an incredible honour to be associated with such a prestigious football club as Chelsea. I’m immensely proud to represent FPT in this partnership with Chelsea Football Club and it’s humbling to be able to support closer collaboration between Vietnam and the UK, deepened by shared values and innovation, plus the immense digital talent pool that Vietnam brings. The Vietnamese people's passion and love for football make this partnership all the more meaningful and we will strive together to improve performance on and off the pitch.”
David O’Brien, Strategic Advisor at FPT Software, adds: “As a lifelong Chelsea fan, working closely with the club has been an eye-opening experience into the inner workings of a top-tier sports organisation. FPT is proud to support both the men’s and women’s teams equally, both of whom ended the season in thrilling fashion. Professionally, I believe true partnership is built on passion, shared values, trust and a belief in collective success. This collaboration is a powerful step forward. As Coach Enzo Maresca said, "We are building something important.”
Tim Wright, Partner at Fladgate, concludes: “We were delighted to have worked with the team at FPT on this ground-breaking partnership which saw our technology and sports law teams combine to provide advice across every aspect of the deal. Working in a time pressured, but collaborative, manner with the legal and business teams at Chelsea FC, our approach helped both parties to pursue their strategic objectives. In doing so, we established a compelling model for future sports-tech collaborations by demonstrating how multidisciplinary legal support and expertise under one roof can combine to bridge the gap between digital innovation and the sporting regulatory landscape.”
