ASM Global’s chief commercial officer Richard Krezwick has announced his departure from the company.

Krezwick, who has spent more than four decades in live events, announced on LinkedIn that he is to pursue new opportunities from September after concluding his notice period.

His previous roles include senior vice president facilities at AEG Europe from 2014 to 2018, in which he was responsible for all of the group’s venues in Europe including the O2 in London, Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, AccorHotels Arena in Paris, the SSE Hydro in Glasgow and Friends Arena in Stockholm.

He relocated in 2018 to the US to head up AEG Facilities’ new office in Manhattan, New York.

He also spent four years as president of Devils Arena Entertainment, New Jersey, from 2009 to 2013, as well as two years as regional vice-president of AEG Facilities from 2007 to 2009.

“I’m looking forward to doing all I can for ASM in the coming weeks, then start brewing some entrepreneurial ideas”

“I realised my entire career has been like driving the Autobahn… full throttle… every day, pedal to the metal,” he wrote. “From the old Spectrum in Philly, around the world and back to ASM in Philly where it all began. It’s time to exit the highway once in a while and take the road less travelled.”

“I’m looking forward to doing all I can for ASM in the coming weeks, then start brewing some entrepreneurial ideas, doing a few deals and staying close to the business that’s been so good to me and my family, for so many years. Stay tuned…” he concluded.

Uwe Frommhold, AEG chief operating officer, wrote: “Thanks for everything Rich! Has been a great pleasure to join you for a couple of ‘fast rides’ on the German Autobahn. Hope to see you again over here soon – there are lots of nice roads still to be taken at a slower pace!”

Marie Lindqvist, senior vice-president Europe at ASM Global, wrote: “You challenged me, believed in my capabilities and taught me so much about our amazing industry. For that, I will always be grateful. I wish you the best of luck in your next phase and look forward to meeting soon. Hopefully in a sold-out arena!”

John Langford, AEG Europe chief operating officer, wrote: “Good luck boss. It’s been a pleasure sitting shotgun on parts of the journey.”

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

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.”

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

Veteran AEG exec Richard Krezwick, most recently head of European arena/stadium operations in the company’s London office, is to relocate to the US to head up AEG Facilities’ new office in Manhattan, New York.

As senior vice-president, Krezwick (pictured) will lead AEG Facilities’ operations on the east coast of the US while continuing to oversee the company’s European venues.

“Rich has done an outstanding job with our facilities in Europe, so when we took a strategic look at how we further strengthen our infrastructure and continue to deliver positive results for our partners, it was obvious that opening an east-coast office with Rich at the helm was the answer,” says Bob Newman, president of AEG Facilities, AEG’s large venue division. “We are fortunate to have an industry veteran like Rich on our team.”

“I am thrilled and extremely thankful to be returning to the US with AEG after four amazing years with AEG Europe”

Philadelphia-born Krezwick joined AEG in 2006, before leaving for Prudential Center (18,711-cap.), Newark, operator Devils Arena Entertainment in 2009. He rejoined AEG in May 2014.

“I am thrilled and extremely thankful to be returning to the US with AEG after four amazing years with AEG Europe,” comments Krezwick. “The unique aspects of each facility and each market was magnified during my international experience, something I know will help me while working with our co-workers and valued partners.

AEG Facilities’ European arenas include The O2 in London, Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, AccorHotels Arena in Paris, the SSE Hydro in Glasgow and Friends Arena in Stockholm.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.