Paul Thandi is the charismatic and ambitious CEO of the NEC Group, one of the world’s leading venue management companies. He is also an investor, mentor, advisor and experienced Board Director.
Paul successfully steered the NEC on its journey 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 acquisition of the Group by Blackstone, the world’s largest private equity company, for £800 million.
Under Paul’s leadership the NEC Group has been transformed into a customer-focused, data-led business and the Group’s brands and reputation have been re-defined. Part of Paul’s strategy was launching and developing a range of support services such as The Ticket Factory (now a competitor to Ticketmaster); hospitality brand, Amplify; and award-winning caterer, Amadeus.
In addition to his role at the NEC, Paul is a sought-after Non-Executive Director and sits on the boards of Metro Bank, the West Midlands Growth Company, is Chairman of MP_ and an advisory board member...Paul Thandi is the charismatic and ambitious CEO of the NEC Group, one of the world’s leading venue management companies. He is also an investor, mentor, advisor and experienced Board Director.
Paul successfully steered the NEC on its journey 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 acquisition of the Group by Blackstone, the world’s largest private equity company, for £800 million.
Under Paul’s leadership the NEC Group has been transformed into a customer-focused, data-led business and the Group’s brands and reputation have been re-defined. Part of Paul’s strategy was launching and developing a range of support services such as The Ticket Factory (now a competitor to Ticketmaster); hospitality brand, Amplify; and award-winning caterer, Amadeus.
In addition to his role at the NEC, Paul is a sought-after Non-Executive Director and sits on the boards of Metro Bank, the West Midlands Growth Company, is Chairman of MP_ and an advisory board member at Inspired Minds. He also runs a small family office focusing on investments in the property, biotech, entertainment, media, tech and medical sectors.
Paul is passionate about creating opportunities for young people to thrive, championing a range of development programmes and apprenticeships at the NEC. He also finds time to act as a mentor to two CEOs in the digital & 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.
In 2013 Paul was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands Lieutenancy, representing HM The Queen in the region. He was awarded a CBE for services to the economy in The Queen’s New Year Honours List 2020.moreless
The NEC Group is the UK’s foremost live events business and owns the NEC, Vox, ICC, Utilita Arena Birmingham, Resorts World Arena, Amadeus and The Ticket Factory.
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
Other Business Interests
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Director; Member of the Nominations & Remunerations Committee
Jun 2015 - Present
Birmingham, UK
The West Midlands Growth Company focuses on stimulating economic development in the West Midlands by attracting investment, jobs, visitors and businesses to the region.
InspiredMinds is a global science and technology strategy company that focuses on promoting artificial intelligence (AI) for the greater good, ensuring emerging technologies work for everyone, not just the privileged few. Paul Thandi acts as an advisor on commercial growth and investor relations.
Marie Curie is a non-profit organisation that supports those living with, or affected by, terminal illnesses by offering professional care, guidance and support.
Bowel Cancer UK is Britain’s leading bowel cancer charity, dedicated to saving lives and committed to improving the lives of those that have been affected by the disease.
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.
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.
