NEC Group CEO to be keynote speaker at Signature Awards

THE CEO of The NEC Group, Paul Thandi, has been announced as the keynote speakers at the Signature Awards 2017.

Since becoming CEO in October 2006 Mr Thandi has rebuilt the company’s brands – which include the NEC, Genting Arena, ICC and Barclaycard Arena – and reputation, created a new senior management team and transformed the group into a data-led organisation which has included the launch and evolution of The Ticket Factory, now a challenger brand to Ticketmaster.

The group now employs 1,500 permanent staff and 300 casual workers and delivers more than £2.1 billion annual impact to the regional economy, supporting the full-time equivalent of 29,000 jobs.

Mr Thandi has been an ever-present throughout the most transitional phase of the business’ evolution.

In May 2015, LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, acquired the NEC Group from Birmingham City Council for £307m. The deal brought the NEC Group into private ownership for the first time; a transformation which has been realised through its vision ‘bringing live to life’.

Signature Awards founder Ninder Johal said: “We are pleased to have a fantastic speaker at the awards, Paul will give us an insight into the management of such a complex business and the importance of skills, infrastructure and the visitor economy to the region.

“The tickets are selling extremely well and we have been really pleased with the quality of the nominations. We will be announcing the finalists in due course.”

The past president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce and current board member of the Black Country LEP, also referred to the region’s future – both economically and politically. He also said the main candidates for the forthcoming West Midlands Mayoral election would also be attending the awards ceremony.

The winner of the contest will do much to shape the future direction of the West Midlands and spearhead its economic development.

“The economy whilst performing really since Brexit, still has an uncertain future and indeed the regions politics will change forever with the appointment of the metro mayor in May. We are pleased that all of the candidates of the main parties for the metro mayor will be in attendance,” he added.

The sponsors for the evening include TheBusinessDesk.com, FBC Manby Bowdler, Pathway Group, Birmingham City University, Rational FX, Cobra, Visions and East End Foods. The evening will also raise funds for Birmingham charity LoveBrum.

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