People: NEC Group appoints Commonwealth Games project manager; Director announces departure from Birmingham Repertory Theatre; and more

NEC Group has appointed Donovan Myers to the newly created role of Commonwealth Games project manager as it ramps up its strategic planning.

The existence of world-class sporting venues was central to Birmingham securing the 2022 Commonwealth Games and NEC Group is due to host a total of nine sports in three of its flagship venues – Arena Birmingham, the NEC and Genting Arena (soon to be renamed Resorts World Arena).

Myers’ role will be co-ordinating the group’s activities to ensure all commitments are delivered towards the safe and successful delivery of the Games.

Myers currently works as business change manager for the NEC in Birmingham.

He said: “It is a huge honour to take up this appointment. I’ve always enjoyed working on large and complex change management projects especially those that enhance customer experience.

“Securing the Games is a big achievement for the region and the UK. I’m confident it’s going to leave a legacy for decades to come – not just for sports – but for tourism, business and the community . The opportunity to truly give something back to the community and my local neighbourhood feels like the perfect role for me.”

Phil Mead, managing director for Arenas and Ticket Factory, added: “Alongside Donovan’s clear commitment to working with the community, his outstanding track record for driving ideas, motivating diverse teams of people and achieving stand-out results will set him in excellent stead for this position. We were delighted to make an internal appointment for this business-critical role working on one of our most ambitious and exciting projects to date.”

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Birmingham Repertory Theatre has announced that its artistic director Roxana Silbert will be leaving the company to take up the post of artistic director of Hampstead Theatre in London next June.

Silbert took on the role at The REP in 2012, leading the company through its centenary year and the re-opening of the theatre in 2013 following a two-year development period.

She will direct her two final productions for The REP, the UK premiere of Edmond De Bergerac in March 2019 and the European premiere of A Thousand Splendid Suns in June 2019.

Silbert said: “My time at The REP has been one of the most rewarding experiences ever. I love The REP and I love Birmingham. The REP has an extraordinary team of people and it has been an honour and a pleasure to work with everyone here. I am very proud of everything that has been achieved since we re-opened the building and everyone who has made those achievements possible. I am eternally grateful to our audiences – for me their support is evidence that audiences both demand and deserve theatre that represents the diversity of the city around us.”

Stuart Rogers, executive director, said: “I’m sure I speak on behalf of everyone at The REP in saying that working with Roxana over the last six years has been a delight. Her wholehearted commitment to the many roles that a large regional producing theatre plays nowadays has been exemplary, and the shows she has directed for us have been of the very highest standard. Roxana has undoubtedly played a significant part in this theatre’s long and proud history, putting artistic quality, diversity and access firmly at the heart of everything we do. We will miss her and wish her well.”

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National Express West Midlands has promoted its commercial director David Bradford as managing director of its bus division.

Bradford previously worked in First Group’s rail and North American operations.

Tom Stables will continue as managing director of National Express UK & Germany, overseeing the national white coach network, bus operations and contract businesses, as well as the company’s German rail interests.

Bradford said: “I’m delighted to be taking over as MD of our bus businesses.

“This is an exciting time for public transport in the West Midlands – there’s massive investment into our region. And the only way to accommodate this growth is through better public transport. We are investing millions to meet this challenge – in vehicles, in facilities, in technology and in our people.”