People: Birmingham 2022 goes Green for creative strategy; NVM expands VCT team

Martin Green has been chosen as the chief creative officer of Birmingham 2022, following on from his involvement in the handover ceremony at the end of last year’s Commonwealth Games.

He will have ultimate responsibility for the official opening and closing ceremonies and the wider cultural programme for the Games.

The role also oversees the Queen’s Baton Relay and he’ll provide overarching direction for the team welcome ceremonies (performed when each competing nation and territory arrives at the athletes’ village), how the sports are presented and showcased in venues, medal ceremonies and spectator entertainment.

Green has previously worked as Head of Ceremonies for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Director of Hull UK City of Culture 2017.

Green said: “Ever since working on last year’s ‘Go the Distance’ handover celebration, part of the Gold Coast 2018 closing ceremony, I knew I just had to be involved in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. I was blown away by the local performers who took part, as they were so talented and enthusiastic and I loved the way that the people in Birmingham and the region embraced the handover event.”

He will take up his new role before the end of month.

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Stephen Johnson, NVM Private Equity

Johnson will be responsible for identifying and transacting investment opportunities across the Midlands, whilst also working with portfolio companies on their continued growth path.

He has spent the past nine years working in technology consulting, most recently with data specialist Agile Solutions.

NVM’s investment partner and head of the VCT team, Charlie Winward, said: “At NVM we believe there is significant opportunity for our investors to help businesses develop and scale in the North West and Midlands respectively, and that these areas are comparatively underserved given the range of opportunities we see in these regions.”