Executive Board

Paul Thandi

Chief Executive

As Chief Executive I lead the Executive Board of the UK’s largest and most high profile venue management company.

The NEC Group delivers more than £2billion of economic investment to the West Midlands and supports over 28,000 full time equivalent jobs. This brings with it a great deal of responsibility and I am charged with overseeing the work and commitment required to build upon this.

Since becoming Chief Executive in October 2006 I have worked tirelessly to create a positive culture across the NEC Group, with a strong responsibility to customers, visitors, communities and the wider region.

Prior to becoming Chief Executive I spent 18 months as the NEC Group's Commercial Director, during which time I was responsible for delivering the largest haul of new business in any one year in the company's history.

I am proud to represent the NEC Group on the board of Marketing Birmingham; I am also Chair of Birmingham and Solihull Employment and Skills Board and am Vice President of Solihull Chamber of Commerce.

John Hornby

Chief Operating Officer

Hi, I’m John. I have been Chief Operating Officer of the NEC Group since January 2006, which came three years after joining the company in 2003 as Group Finance Director.

My role is broad, encompassing Finance, Procurement, IT, Health & Safety, HR, Legal and Property. I am proud to say that I am part of the team that has transformed the culture of the business, and I’m equally proud to represent the Birmingham and Solihull Chamber of Commerce on the Solihull Partnership.

I started my career as a chartered accountant, training with Price WaterhouseCoopers and working in their London and Birmingham offices before moving into the retail sector where my work included various financial and planning roles at Barclays Retail, plus eighteen months at Halfords as Head of Finance. Immediately before joining the NEC Group, I held the roles of Commercial Director and then MD of Boots.com.

I’m married and a father of one. I very much enjoy performing arts and I am a board member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and chair of their Audit Committee. I’m also a keen sportsman, with particular interests in tennis and football.

Kathryn James

Managing Director

My name’s Kathryn and in July 2007 I was appointed Managing Director of the National Exhibition Centre.

I stepped into my role from London Luton Airport, where I was Managing Director. I moved from being an acquisition accountant in 1996 to Managing Director of London Luton - the fifth largest UK airport - in nine years, where I was responsible for an operation handling nearly 10 million passengers every year. I was extremely proud to be awarded a Doctorate from Bedfordshire University from my achievements at the airport.

I am responsible for the strategic direction of the NEC - increasing revenue and profitability through the identification of market opportunities, developing existing business and building strong relationships within the industry and with key stakeholders. In addition, I am heading up “Destination NEC”, a concept that is seeking to create a true destination at the NEC.

I am chair of AEV (Association of Event Venues), a Governor at Birmingham Metropolitan College and also at King Edward VI Sheldon Heath Academy in Birmingham.

Discover More

• thenec.co.uk

Jane Jarvis

Human Resources Director

I’m Jane and I am the Human Resources Director, a challenging role that involves managing the needs of the NEC Group’s 1,200 permanent staff, as well as 2,000 casual workers.

I have a wealth of experience in human resources, built from brands including McDonald’s, British Gas and the Automobile Association (AA). I joined the NEC Group from Craegmoor, a care provider that employs 5,500 people across 250 locations in the UK, where I worked in several HR roles, culminating as Human Resources Director.

Managing a team of 25, I oversee all human resource aspects of the Group, including learning and development, pensions, payroll and occupational health and safety.

In my role as HR Director, I am responsible for working with the business to create an environment where individuals grow and develop, are motivated to succeed and are rewarded for their efforts, which all combine to ensure that we continue to be seen as an attractive and exciting place to work.

Keith Marriott

Group General Counsel

My role as Group General Counsel involves the provision of all legal advice to the NEC Group including advice relating to corporate and commercial matters; customer and supplier agreements; joint ventures and other new launches; Intellectual Property Rights; managing litigation and the selection, appointment and management of external legal advisors, together with the provision of strategic advice relating to the business. I am also responsible for safety, health and environmental issues within the business overseeing a team of eight health and safety professionals.

I joined the NEC Group in 2007 from Christian Salvesen, a European logistics solutions company, where I was Commercial Legal Director. Before joining Christian Salvesen, I worked for Hammonds LLP having qualified as a solicitor in 1999 following 14 years in the Royal Army Medical Corps.

I am a father of two and I enjoy photography and travelling as well as scuba diving, cycling and skiing.

Nick Waight

Group Convention Centres

I have been associated with the NEC Group since 1989 and I have worked my way up through the ranks, which gives me an understanding of the exceptional challenges presented at every level of the business.

When I joined the business the ICC was about to open and I was heavily involved in the pre-opening activity. Initially responsible for developing key corporate business, I soon acquired major key accounts with blue chip companies such as Peugeot, KPMG, Price Waterhouse Coopers.

After time spent as a Sales Manager, Division Director and Director of the ICC, I took on the role of Managing Director Group Convention Centres in 2006. I was also appointed Chief Executive of the Convention Centre Dublin in April 2007, which opened its doors in September 2010.

I’m married with two daughters and my leisure pursuits include skiing, scuba diving, travelling and fine wine.

Discover More

• theicc.co.uk

Phil Mead

Managing Director Arenas

Being responsible for the operation and development of the NEC Group’s arenas is a hugely challenging and rewarding role. When I was appointed MD in 2007 I had more than 25 years of experience to draw upon at some of the UK’s biggest event venues, including G-MEX in Manchester and Cardiff’s International Arena.

I am responsible for overseeing the operation and development of the LG Arena, the NIA and national box office The Ticket Factory, which sells more than 2.35million tickets a year.

I have also played a part in the formation of NEC Group International, which is developing worldwide opportunities in venue management.

I am married and a proud father of four. As an avid Badminton player I represented the Isle of Man in the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane.

Discover More

• lgarena.co.uk
• thenia.co.uk
• theticketfactory.co.uk

Kevin Watson

Managing Director Amadeus

I’m Kevin and I am Managing Director of Amadeus. Amadeus is one of the UK’s fastest growing venue and event caterers, serving 1.8 million covers every year.

I joined Amadeus in July 2011 initially as Operations Director, with over 15 years experience of retail, contract catering and brand building.

Having helped shape Amadeus through a period of rapid growth and change including introducing a new procurement strategy and EPOS system I am keen to continue to drive change across key areas of the business. Leading the Amadeus contract for catering at the Olympic Park North during the Olympic and Paralympics Games is going to be a highlight of 2012.

I hope to bring a strategic and commercial focus to all aspects of Amadeus operations at the NEC home venues: the NEC, the ICC, LG Arena and NIA and work in partnership with external venues and events to ensure Amadeus delivers not only great food and service but mutually beneficial financial rewards.

Discover More

• amadeusfood.co.uk