LSST Elephant and Castle Academic at Forefront of Talent Management Research
By Kunal Chan Mehta | Article Date: 9 October 2025
By Kunal Chan Mehta | Article Date: 9th October 2025
LSST is proud to celebrate the success of Marjan Anastasieski, a Trainee Business Lecturer and Academic Support Tutor at LSST Elephant and Castle (London), whose research has been published following its presentation at the prestigious Centre for Business and Economic Research (CBER) International Business Conference, hosted at Oxford University.
Speaking about the achievement, Mr Ali Jafar Zaidi, LSST’s CEO, said: “This marks a milestone not only in Marjan’s LSST academic career but also in LSST’s purpose to promote a culture of research-informed teaching. His paper, ‘From Talent Identification to Retention: Embedding Talent Management for Sustainable Development in Football‘, now forms part of the scholarly record – available to be taught, cited and further developed right here at LSST.”
At its core, the research highlights a critical challenge in high-performance environments: while institutions often excel at identifying talent, they struggle to retain it. Drawing on comparative evidence from elite football academies across England, Germany and Spain, the paper demonstrates how fragmented systems lead to early dropout rates and missed opportunities, while integrated models of support achieve far higher retention and progression.
The study proposes a forward-thinking solution: the creation of a Talent Management Unit (TMU), designed to bridge the gap between spotting talent and sustaining it. This structure coordinates individual development pathways and long-term retention strategies that offer a holistic approach that could transform not only sport but wider organisational practice.
Marjan Anastasieski’s Oxford University presentation is available on YouTube.
Reflecting on his achievement, Marjan said: “To see my research presented at Oxford University and now published is both humbling and exhilarating. My work argues that talent management cannot end at identification; it must be sustained through structure, support and strategy. This paper is a product of LSST’s encouragement and our shared ethos of inquiry and impact.”
Marjan Anastasieski, receiving a presentation certificate from the Centre for Business and Economic Research (CBER) at Oxford University. Photo: LSST.
Syed Rizvi, Academic Dean of LSST Elephant and Castle and LSST Stratford and Dean of Learning and Teaching, praised the publication: “Marjan’s success is a magnificent manifestation of LSST’s growing research reputation. His publication demonstrates not only personal dedication but also our commitment to making meaningful contributions to academic and professional debates. It sets a shining example for LSST colleagues and students alike.”
Eniana Gobuzi, Associate Dean at LSST Elephant and Castle, added: “This research perfectly illustrates how scholarship enhances teaching. By embedding his findings into our classrooms, Marjan will inspire students to see knowledge not just as something to be consumed but as something to be created. That is the hallmark of an excellent education.”
Dr Maryam Idris-Usman, Research Centre Coordinator and Academic Team Leader at LSST Birmingham, said: “Marjan’s work offers a blueprint for how institutions can better support talent – whether in sport, business or education. It reminds us that true success is not simply in discovering potential, but in developing it. His paper strengthens LSST’s research portfolio and showcases LSST’s commitment to producing research with practical and lasting relevance.”
The full research paper can be accessed through the CBER Conference Proceedings and Marjan Anastasieski’s Oxford University presentation is available on YouTube.
For additional information or interviews, please email LSST’s Public Relations Manager via kunal.mehta@lsst.ac.
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