Independent Talent Group Buys Into Sports Agency Tongue Tied
Independent Talent Group, the agency behind Daniel Craig and Gillian Anderson, has bought into British sports agency Tongue Tied Management.
The agreement was detailed by Deadline on 24 September 2026.
A buy-in of this kind means taking an ownership stake rather than a full takeover, with the existing leadership staying in place. Tongue Tied is a UK sport talent agency. It represents athletes, coaches, broadcasters and creators, handling contracts, commercial deals and media work. Sports agencies of this type often sit between talent and employers, broadcasters and brands.
Its roster includes former England midfielder Jill Scott, Manchester United coach Michael Carrick, former striker and broadcaster Dion Dublin and broadcaster Hayley McQueen. The list covers the pitch, the dugout and the presentation desk. Carrick's coaching role is with Manchester United.
The company was founded and is led by Jo Tongue. She is a FIFA-registered intermediary, meaning she is licensed to act for players and clubs in football transactions, and she sits on the board of Women in Football. That organisation campaigns for greater equality for women working in the game. Board membership involves governance and advocacy work alongside representation.
On the other side of the deal, Independent Talent Group is led by founder and chairman Duncan Heath, with Sally Long-Innes as chief executive. A chairman oversees the board and long-term direction, while a chief executive runs day-to-day operations. The group is known for screen and stage representation, including Craig and Anderson.
The Tongue Tied investment follows other business activity around Heath's agency. Sienna Private Equity has bought a major stake in the business, according to the same report. Private equity backing of this sort provides capital for expansion in exchange for part-ownership.
Independent Talent Group has also set up a studio with Deborah Turness, the former BBC News chief executive. A studio here means a production operation that develops and makes programmes, separate from representing talent.
What makes this stand out is the pairing of specialisms. One side works in film, theatre and television. The other works in sport, live broadcasting and creator careers. The two rosters now sit under the same wider group.
