Richard Thompson appointed Levy chair
Sports and entertainment hospitality provider Levy UK + Ireland has appointed England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Chair Richard Thompson to the newly created role of Chair.
Thompson, who is also the Global Chair of M&C Saatchi Sports & Entertainment, joins the Compass Group-owned company to help accelerate its growth strategy and expansion across Europe. He has a long-standing career in the sports industry, having previously served as Chair of Surrey County Cricket Club.
Outside of sport, Thompson has founded three start-up businesses and is an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society and founder of Sport United Against Dementia (SUAD).
Richard Thompson, Chair, Levy UK + Ireland, said, “I’m incredibly excited to turn this new position into something that can have real purpose. My primary focus will be finding ways to improve Levy’s reach and profile within the sporting and entertainment ecosystem to enable it to explore new opportunities, as well as expanding and reinforcing existing ones.
“Sport as a sector is growing rapidly, and a combination of broadening our service in a dynamic sector that’s growing so fast is exceptionally exciting.”
Jon Davies, CEO, Levy UK + Ireland, said, “Getting Richard onboard isn’t just a natural progression; it’s a critical acceleration of our growth plan. Richard’s deep expertise in venue experiences and his proven track record in closing multiple major deals in the broader entertainment world will be invaluable for Levy. His history of successfully founding three start-up businesses provides us with a powerful foundation to unlock high-value partner investment opportunities.
“This appointment is perfectly timed to help us execute our strategy, particularly as we eye significant expansion. We are thrilled to have his vision guiding our board.“
