Profiles Insights Contact Us

Paul Thandi CBE DL

Private equity investor and board director; former Chairman and CEO of the NEC Group

London, UK

Paul Thandi

Sally Tennant OBE

Acorn Capital Advisers

Greenhill & Co International LLP

Paul Thandi’s Biography

Paul Thandi CBE DL is a private equity investor, board director and mentor. He is best known for his transformation of the NEC Group, one of the world’s leading venue management businesses, which he led as Chief Executive from 2006. Under his leadership, the Group moved from public sector ownership to a £307m management buyout in 2015 and, three years later, an £800m sale to Blackstone. During this period, he increased profit and turnover, reshaping the business into a customer-focused, data-led organisation. He became Chairman in 2023 and stepped down in 2024.

Before the NEC, Paul spent a decade as an Executive Director at CMP Information, UBM’s (now Informa) exhibitions, conferences and information division.

Paul now invests and sits on boards in financial services, hospitality and entertainment, energy, real estate and healthcare. He is an Independent Non-Executive Director of Metro Bank and Chair of BOXPARK, The Student Energy Group, Sostratus Energy and ME Asset Management. He is also co-founder, shareholder and board director of Rayo, a Non-Executive Director and investor... Paul Thandi CBE DL is a private equity investor, board director and mentor. He is best known for his transformation of the NEC Group, one of the world’s leading venue management businesses, which he led as Chief Executive from 2006. Under his leadership, the Group moved from public sector ownership to a £307m management buyout in 2015 and, three years later, an £800m sale to Blackstone. During this period, he increased profit and turnover, reshaping the business into a customer-focused, data-led organisation. He became Chairman in 2023 and stepped down in 2024.

Before the NEC, Paul spent a decade as an Executive Director at CMP Information, UBM’s (now Informa) exhibitions, conferences and information division.

Paul now invests and sits on boards in financial services, hospitality and entertainment, energy, real estate and healthcare. He is an Independent Non-Executive Director of Metro Bank and Chair of BOXPARK, The Student Energy Group, Sostratus Energy and ME Asset Management. He is also co-founder, shareholder and board director of Rayo, a Non-Executive Director and investor in JAAQ, and investor in Ellipses Pharma. He retains an investment in the NEC Group through Nation’s Experience Capital and, through his family office and True North Associates, invests in businesses and advises founders and chief executives.

Paul previously served on the advisory board of InspiredMinds!, before its 2024 sale to Growth Catalyst Partners. He was also a director of the West Midlands Growth Company and chaired the Birmingham and Solihull Employment and Skills Board. He chairs the Remuneration and Nomination Committees of the British Allied Trades Federation.

Paul is a Patron of Marie Curie and Best Beginnings and sits on the Development Board of Bowel Cancer UK. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands in 2013 and received a CBE in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to the economy. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Paul Thandi’s Newsfeed

Property Magazine Int'l

ME Asset Management launches UK platform for complex assets

Read more

BE News

New investment platform targets assets impacted by building safety challenges

Read more

View News Archive

Paul Thandi’s Background

NEC Group

CEO 2006-2023, Chairman 2023-2024

2006 - 2024

Birmingham, UK

The NEC Group is the UK’s foremost live events business. Paul served as CEO from 2006 before moving to the role of Chairman in 2023.

CMP Information

Executive Director

1996 - 2006

London, UK

CMP Information (CMPi) was an operating company of UBM, now known as Informa. CMP Information was a multimedia trading division that focused on exhibitions, conferences, digital, information products and online communities.

Paul Thandi’s Gallery

Current Board Positions

RAYO Inc.

Co-founder, Shareholder and Board Director

Dallas, TX, USA

ME Asset Management Ltd

Chairman and Shareholder

Jul 2025 - Present

London, UK

ME Asset Management is a specialist investment platform focused on UK real estate assets affected by building safety and remediation challenges. It combines capital, technical expertise and execution capability to unlock value in income-producing assets often overlooked by traditional investors.

JAAQ

Non-Executive Director and Investor

2025 - Present

London, UK

JAAQ (Just Ask A Question) is an innovative, free mental health platform that enables users to ask questions and receive video responses from leading experts and individuals with lived experience across over 60 topics, including depression, addiction, and ADHD.

Sostratus Energy

Non-Executive Chair and Shareholder

2024 - Present

London, UK

Sostratus Energy is a UK-based renewable energy technology company founded in 2024. The company specialises in capturing kinetic energy from vehicular and maritime movement through its patented ViaGen™ systems, converting it into usable power to support decentralized, grid-independent energy solutions.

BOXPARK

Chair

Sep 2023 - Present

London, UK

BOXPARK is a unique retail and dining concept, featuring shipping container-based pop-up shops and eateries. It offers a vibrant, urban atmosphere with diverse cuisine options, retail outlets, and live events.

The Student Energy Group

Chair and Shareholder

Sep 2023 - Present

Birmingham, UK

The Student Energy Group is a utility company that provides simple monthly statements that cover green energy, water, broadband, and TV license services.

Metro Bank

Independent Non-Executive Director

Jan 2019 - Present

London, UK

Paul Thandi sits on the Audit and Remuneration Committees of Metro Bank. Metro Bank was established in 2010, the first new high street bank to have been founded in over a hundred years.

British Allied Trades Federation

Member; Chair of the Remuneration and Nomination Committees

Jun 2015 - Present

Birmingham, UK

The British Allied Trades Federation is made up five of the UK’s most important trade associations: the Giftware Association, the National Association of Jewellers, the Surface Engineering Association, the British Travelgoods and Accessories Association and the Jewellery Distributors Association. The BATF supports over 3,500 members and more than 50,000 employees.

True North Associates Ltd

Director and shareholder

2013 - Present

London, UK

True North Associates offers business consultancy services and mentorship. The company is owned and run by Paul and his wife Nicki.

View all Hide

Previous Board Positions

NEC Group

Group Director

Jun 2015 - 2024

Birmingham, UK

The NEC Group employs 1,500 people, holds 750 events per year and welcomes over 7,000,000 visitors. The Group’s aim is to be the most successful live events organisation in Europe.

Birmingham and Solihull Employment and Skills Board

Chairman

Jun 2015 - Mar 2024

Birmingham, UK

The Birmingham and Solihull Employment and Skills Board forms part of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership. It was established to address skills issues that impact the economic growth and productivity of the region.

View all Hide

Previous Advisory Roles

InspiredMinds!

Advisory Board Member

Feb 2021 - Nov 2024

InspiredMinds! is a global tech and science strategy group focused on AI for Good (AI4Good), operating across healthcare, education, STEM, and government sectors. In November 2024 it was acquired by US private equity firm, Growth Catalyst Partners.

Philanthropy

Best Beginnings

Patron

London, UK

Founded in 2006, Best Beginnings is a charity dedicated to helping all parents and care-givers give children the best possible start in life.

Marie Curie

Patron

Jun 2015 - Present

London, UK

Marie Curie is a non-profit organisation that supports those living with, or affected by, terminal illnesses by offering professional care, guidance and support.

View all Hide

Media

CEO Stories: Paul Thandi CBE DL

Podcast

Oct 2022

Birmingham, UK

In this wide-ranging interview NEC Group CEO, Paul Thandi, talks to Henrietta Brealey about his career in the entertainment and leisure industry.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce

Interviewee

May 2020

London, UK

Paul is interviewed by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce CEO, Paul Faulkner, about the NEC's plans to re-open after lockdown.

Awards & Recognition

New Year Honours

Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Jan 2020

London, UK

Paul was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to the economy.

Public Service

West Midlands Lieutenancy

Deputy Lieutenant

2013 - Present

The West Midlands Lieutenancy is the second largest lieutenancy in England and Wales, supporting a population of nearly 3 million people across Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

Fellowships

The Royal Society of Arts

Fellow

Jun 2015 - Present

London, UK

RSA Fellows are an indispensable part of the RSA’s mission to create a better future. They encourage new ideas, push for social change, offer practical solutions and support the aims of the RSA.

Investments

RAYO Inc.

Shareholder

ME Asset Management Ltd

Shareholder

View all Hide