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Paul Thandi CBE DL

Private Equity Investor & Board Member

Former Chairman and CEO at NEC Group

London, UK

Paul Thandi

Sally Tennant OBE

Acorn Capital Advisers

Paul Thandi’s Biography

Paul Thandi CBE, DL, is the dynamic and visionary former Chairman and CEO of the NEC Group, one of the world’s leading venue management companies. As CEO, Paul led the Group from public sector ownership to a £307 million management buyout in 2015. Just three years later, having significantly increased the NEC’s profit and turnover, Paul oversaw the Group’s sale to private equity company, Blackstone, for £800 million.

Since stepping down from the NEC in 2024, Paul has become a respected investor, mentor, and sought-after Non-Executive Director. He sits on the boards of Metro Bank, the British Allied Trades Federation and JAAQ (Just Ask A Question), and is an investor in Ellipses Pharma. He is Chair of private equity-backed BOXPARK, Student Energy Group, and Sostratus Energy. He also runs a family office focused on investments in healthcare, real estate, biotech and technology.

Paul was previously an advisory board member at InspiredMinds! and helped prepare the company for its successful sale to Growth Catalyst Partners, a US-based private equity firm. He also served on the board... Paul Thandi CBE, DL, is the dynamic and visionary former Chairman and CEO of the NEC Group, one of the world’s leading venue management companies. As CEO, Paul led the Group from public sector ownership to a £307 million management buyout in 2015. Just three years later, having significantly increased the NEC’s profit and turnover, Paul oversaw the Group’s sale to private equity company, Blackstone, for £800 million.

Since stepping down from the NEC in 2024, Paul has become a respected investor, mentor, and sought-after Non-Executive Director. He sits on the boards of Metro Bank, the British Allied Trades Federation and JAAQ (Just Ask A Question), and is an investor in Ellipses Pharma. He is Chair of private equity-backed BOXPARK, Student Energy Group, and Sostratus Energy. He also runs a family office focused on investments in healthcare, real estate, biotech and technology.

Paul was previously an advisory board member at InspiredMinds! and helped prepare the company for its successful sale to Growth Catalyst Partners, a US-based private equity firm. He also served on the board of the West Midlands Growth Company.

Paul is passionate about creating opportunities for young people and championed a range of development programmes and apprenticeships while at the NEC. He also finds time to act as a mentor to two CEOs in the digital and media industry.

A committed philanthropist, Paul is a patron of Marie Curie, the UK’s foremost end-of-life charity, and sits on the Advisory Board of Bowel Cancer UK. He is a Patron of Best Beginnings, a charity that helps parents give children the best possible start in life, and a Founding Patron of Cancer Awareness Trust.

In 2013 Paul was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands Lieutenancy, representing HM The King in the region. He was awarded a CBE for services to the economy in 2020. READ MORE VIEW LESS

Paul Thandi’s Newsfeed

The Business Desk

Major leisure operator to make Birmingham debut

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City AM

Metro Bank cancels bonuses for all executives after turbulent year and rescue

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Paul Thandi’s Background

NEC Group

Former Chairman & CEO

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

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

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 & 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.

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Previous Board Positions

NEC 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.

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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

Cancer Awareness Trust

Founding Patron

May 2023 - Present

London, UK

Cancer Awareness Trust is a UK-founded global charity, backed by experts in cancer, technology, branding, and philanthropy, dedicated to providing accessible, trustworthy digital resources through platforms like Cancer Platform and Evamore Music to support people affected by cancer.

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.

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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

2015 - 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

Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)

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

Ellipses Pharma

Investor

2023 - Present

London, UK

Ellipses Pharma is a London-based global drug development company dedicated to accelerating the advancement of innovative cancer treatments. By employing a unique model that combines rigorous scientific evaluation with uninterrupted funding, Ellipses streamlines the clinical trial process to bring effective therapies to patients more rapidly.