ASM Global announces key venue appointments
ASM Global has made a pair of key leadership appointments in the UK and the Middle East.
Darren Moore, who was previously general manager of the 1,900-cap York Barbican, is named general manager of Bonus Arena, Hull.
The 3,500-cap venue, which opened in 2018, is set to welcome artists such as Texas, Paul Weller, Jack Savoretti, Pet Shop Boys, Foals, Paloma Faith and Bryan Adams over the coming months.
“Darren has many years of experience in the industry and has worked as part of our team for a little over 10 years,” Marie Lindqvist, SVP operations Europe at ASM Global. “For the last four years, Darren has successfully led the team to enhance the performance of York Barbican, in terms of both content and financial metrics, and we’re excited to see what he brings to the Bonus Arena, Hull.”
In addition, Dan Harris, the current general manager at Bonus Arena, is relocating to Dubai to become commercial director for the 17,000-cap Coca-Cola Arena.
“We want to thank Dan for his leadership, and the success he has brought to our business in the UK,” adds Lindqvist. “We are very pleased to see him continuing his career with ASM Global in this new, exciting role with our team in Dubai.”
“As a proven leader within ASM Global, we are thrilled to welcome Dan to the team”
Harris, who has also served as GM for Scunthorpe’s Baths Hall and Plowright Theatre in the UK, says: “I am looking forward to the challenge afforded to me in the Middle East, by ASM Global and Dubai Holding. It is great to see the return of live events in Dubai and I will be working closely with key stakeholders and commercial partners to continue driving the industry at Dubai’s home of live entertainment.”
Harris’ appointment the promotion of Mark Jan Kar to GM of the Coca-Cola Arena in June 2021. The venue has sought to diversify its strategy by catering to an increasing number of sporting events. Upcoming concerts include The Kooks and Ronan Keating.
ASM Global APAC chairman and CEO Harvey Lister AM adds: “As a proven leader within ASM Global, we are thrilled to welcome Dan to the team. Coca-Cola Arena has seen a strong recovery as it emerges from the pandemic and I am positive that Dan’s extensive background in events and venue management will greatly benefit the arena as Dubai cements itself on the global touring circuit.”
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ASM Global announces new Singapore HQ
ASM Global APAC has expanded its footprint in Asia Pacific with the announcement of new Singapore headquarters and plans to grow its overall operations in the region.
ASM Global Singapore will have a joint leadership team comprising two industry specialists: EVP, operations Paul Sergeant, who has been with ASM Global for three years, most recently as SVP, and Ed Sanderson as EVP, venue development. Sanderson brings 20 years of commercial and operational experience in venues and facilities across Asia, most recently with Populous.
The pair are expected to take up their roles in Singapore by the end of the year.
“We believe that this part of the world is ready for a phase of robust growth, and we’re investing in personnel and plans to ensure we’re at the forefront of a significant growth curve,” says ASM Global CEO and president Ron Bension.
Having our ASM Global APAC industry professionals like Paul and Ed on the ground will bring a wealth of local knowledge and experience to our operations
ASM Global APAC chairman and CEO Harvey Lister, points to ASM’s under-construction Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong; the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center, and six future arenas confirmed to be managed by ASM Global in the region as examples of the area’s vast potential.
“This is an exciting development and reinforcement of the importance of this region to our organisation and the expansion of our regionally based business activities,” says Lister. “Having our ASM Global APAC industry professionals like Paul and Ed on the ground will bring a wealth of local knowledge and experience to our operations.”
Lister adds that he looks forward to working closely with the team on the ground on future development opportunities.
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ASM Global unveils leadership team
Bob Newman, the president and CEO of ASM Global, has unveiled the executive leadership team tasked with steering the world’s largest venue management company.
ASM – formed earlier this month upon the merger of SMG and AEG Facilities – operates more than 300 arenas, stadia and other large venues on five continents, and employs 61,000 staff. Its portfolio includes the likes of the O2 and Manchester Arena in the UK, the Stockholm Globe arenas in Sweden, Mercedes-Benz Arena and Barclaycard Arena in Germany, Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney and Staples Center in Los Angeles, with venues under construction in Buenos Aires, Seoul, Moscow and Bangkok.
“Since closing the merger two weeks ago, our top priority has been to ensure that we have the right leadership in place to advance our priorities and growth strategies focused on creating the best experience for our clients, guests and staff across all venues,” says Newman, formerly president of AEG Facilities.
“We are honoured that the executives we are announcing today represent the very top industry professionals, who will collectively lead our new company and global teams as we reinforce and expand our venue management services and capabilities.”
Said executives include John Sharkey, formerly executive vice-president (EVP) of European operations for SMG, who will hold the same role at ASM; Harvey Lister, the former CEO of AEG Ogden, who will continue to oversee venues in Asia and Australasia as CEO of ASM Asia Pacific; and newly appointed CFO Mark Rozells, who will oversee financial planning, accounting and M&A.
“The team’s depth of leadership will enable us to advance our mission to realise the potential of the world’s greatest places, spaces and events”
Effective immediately, the full ASM Global executive team (bar Newman) is as follows:
- Mark Rozells, chief financial officer
Rozells brings “strong financial and operational management experience to the position”, says ASM. Previous career experience includes spells as EVP and CEO for Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, and in senior finance and strategy roles at Liberty Media, Starwood Hotels and the Walt Disney Company - Chuck Steedman, EVP of strategy and business development, arenas and stadia
Steedman previously served as chief operating and development officer for AEG Facilities. He’s responsible for “identifying, evaluating and implementing global account acquisition growth strategies for ASM’s arena and stadium accounts” - Gregg Caren, EVP of sales and business development, convention centres
The former EVP of convention centers for SMG, Caren is tasked with acquiring new convention and exhibition centre accounts, as well as developing sales initiatives to drive events to the company’s existing portfolio - Doug Thornton, EVP of arenas, stadia and theatres
Thornton, lately EVP of stadia and arenas for SMG, expands his role to include ASM’s entire portfolio of arenas, stadia and theatres, directing the operations and financial performance of the division - Richard Krezwick, chief commercial officer
Krezwick, ex-senior vice-president (SVP) for AEG Facilities, will oversee the company’s “commercialisation strategy and the cross-functional adoption of new services, products and technologies” - Shauna Elvin, EVP of global talent
Previously SVP of human resources for SMG, Elvin been promoted to EVP of global talent, overseeing HR, staffing and employee retention, benefits, compensation, training and diversity strategy
“The executives we are announcing today represent the very top industry professionals”
- Bob McClintock, EVP of convention centres
McClintock, the former senior vice-president of convention centres for SMG, has been promoted to EVP of the same division at ASM, leading the global operations of the company’s convention and exhibition venues business - John Sharkey, EVP of European operations
Sharkey will continue in the same role as at SMG, with focus on “maximising positive results” across all ASM’s European venue and F&B operations, as well as supporting and implementing the company’s business development initiatives across the continent - Harvey Lister, chairman and CEO of ASM Asia Pacific
“Utilising his unmatched industry experience”, Lister, formerly of AEG Ogden, will continue to oversee ASM’s portfolio of business activities in Australia, New Zealand, Asia Pacific and the Middle East - Shaun Beard, SVP of food and beverage
Beard will oversee ASM’s North American and European F&B operations, including Savor, Premier and CGC Event Caterers
“We are confident that this impressive team will accelerate our momentum as we look to invest in innovations that bring new ASM Global services, solutions and technologies to our clients,” says Newman.
“The team’s depth of leadership will also enable us to advance our mission to realise the potential of the world’s greatest places, spaces and events by driving revenue generation and operational excellence that will allow us to take our industry to the next level.”
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