Industry Shorts: Aeg, Efl, Sport England…
AEG Facilities and SMG have announced they are to merge, resulting in a new standalone global facility management and venue services company, ASM Global (ASM).
The agreement will bring together AEG Facilities’ 70 managed venues, which include London’s O2 Arena, with more than 240 managed by SMG, to create portfolio of 310 venues across five continents.
Subject to approval, Onex-owned SMG and AEG’s subsidiary, AEG Facilities will share 50-50 ownership of the new firm, which will be based in Los Angeles.
Bob Newman, formerly Regional Vice President at SMG and current President of AEG Facilities is to be named President and Chief Executive of ASM.
Wes Westley, current Chief Executive and President of SMG will join ASM’s Board of Directors, where he will actively support the merger integration.
The EFL has concluded its first ever Youth Development Week by announcing a three-year extension to its successful EFL Futures Initiative.
The scheme, first launched in December 2016, provides EFL Clubs with a financial incentive to allow home grown players more first team opportunities.
EFL Clubs are rewarded for providing starting opportunities in EFL fixtures for players under the age of 21, who are eligible to play for England (or Wales in the case of Swansea City and Newport County.)
The £1m per season programme will now run until the end of the 2021/22 campaign with funding provided through the 1% Youth Development Levy.
Sport England has joined forces with UK charity Alzheimer’s Society to launch the first Dementia-friendly Sport and Physical Activity Guide.
The practical guide, unveiled at the Kia Oval cricket ground in London, aims to inform and educate individuals and organisations to have a better knowledge of dementia and commit to becoming dementia friendly.
With input and support of Sport England and National Lottery funding, it’s hoped the guide will reduce barriers that prevent those affected by dementia from taking part in sport and activity, as well as empower people with the condition to lead active lives and remain independent.
The launch has been backed by those with dementia, as well as pioneering figures from across the sport and physical activity sector.
The SpeedMachine Rallycross Festival is to return to the Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire this summer, following its launch last year.
As a result, the event will once again play host to the UK leg of the DayInsure FIA World Rallycross, presented by Monster Energy.
The Festival combining racing, music and food takes place across the 25th-26th May bank holiday weekend and expects to welcome 35,000 spectators who will also be able to take on test drives on the renowned Silverstone track, virtual eSports and RC Racing.
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