Management restructure at NEC Group as it targets international market

Citing a new growth agenda, The NEC Group in Birmingham, UK, has restructured its senior management with a new focus around its NEC Group international business. Nick Waight is to become managing director of International Conventions and Exhibitions Venue Development, as well as continuing in his role as chief executive at Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) in Ireland. The Group says the move is part of its strategy aimed at expanding its portfolio of conference, exhibition and arena venue management contracts. The Group has completed assignments in the Middle East and the Far East, in addition to an existing management contract in Dublin and two live projects in Western Europe. Kathryn James will take over the management of the International Convention Centre (ICC), the Vox Conference Centre and all convention activity in the NEC Group’s home venues, in addition to her continued management of the NEC. Her new title will be managing director, NEC group conventions and exhibitions. Paul Thandi, NEC Group CEO, said: “We are building good businesses with and within our home venues of venue management and support services. This is being further extended to develop destination facilities and offers at the NEC campus and at the Barclaycard Arena. “We are now best placed to further demonstrate our capability to extend our management and offer outside of our home patch, already evidenced in several global geographies in the recent past and on an ongoing basis.” Waight added: “Our business was originally focused on driving content into our own assets, but when we launched our support services we realised that, together, we had a unique combination of skills. The CCD really adds to Dublin’s offer and our international management credentials; this move reinforces our strategic focus on further international growth, giving us an opportunity to target globalisation of our expertise.” Kathryn James, MD, NEC group conventions and exhibitions said: “The NEC Group prides itself on being one of the top venue management companies in the world, and while our existing exhibition and conference centre businesses are successful, a joined up approach within our home venues creates a stronger overall Group proposition, giving our customers greater choice, but with the same passion for event excellence.”