The Marque The Marque

Paul Thandi CBE DL

Private Equity Investor, Board Member |

Former Chairman and CEO, NEC Group

London, UK

Former Chairman and CEO, NEC Group

Paul Thandi
Sally Tennant OBE
Acorn Capital Advisers
Hugh Tidbury
Greenhill & Co International LLP

Paul Thandi’s Biography

Paul Thandi CBE, DL, is the charismatic and ambitious former Chairman and CEO of the NEC Group, one of the world’s leading venue management companies.

As CEO from 2006 to 2023, Paul successfully steered the NEC 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 private equity company Blackstone for £800 million.

Under Paul’s leadership the NEC Group 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; hospitality brand, Amplify; and award-winning caterer, Amadeus.

Paul is an investor, mentor and sought-after Non-Executive Director and sits on the boards of Metro Bank, the West Midlands Growth Company, is Chair of private equity-backed BOXPARK and Student Energy Group, and an advisory board member at Inspired Minds. He also runs a small family office focusing...
Paul Thandi CBE, DL, is the charismatic and ambitious former Chairman and CEO of the NEC Group, one of the world’s leading venue management companies.

As CEO from 2006 to 2023, Paul successfully steered the NEC 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 private equity company Blackstone for £800 million.

Under Paul’s leadership the NEC Group 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; hospitality brand, Amplify; and award-winning caterer, Amadeus.

Paul is an investor, mentor and sought-after Non-Executive Director and sits on the boards of Metro Bank, the West Midlands Growth Company, is Chair of private equity-backed BOXPARK and Student Energy Group, 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 and championed 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 King in the region. He was awarded a CBE for services to the economy in 2020.
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Paul Thandi’s Newsfeed

Solihull Council is seeking to appoint a new Chair of the Employment and Skills Board

Solihull’s Employment and Skills Board (SESB) is seeking to appoint a new Chair following the news that Paul Thandi CBE, DL, former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the NEC Group, is stepping down after a decade of service. 

BOXPARK Expands Its Footprint with a New Venue in Birmingham’s Digbeth District

Newly-appointed Non-Executive Chairman of BOXPARK, Paul Thandi CBE, believes the iconic brand of BOXPARK will be a great addition to the Birmingham offer.

View News Archive

Paul Thandi’s Background

NEC Group
Former Chairman & CEO
2006 - 2024
Birmingham, UK
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. 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

Other Business Interests

True North Associates Ltd logo True North Associates Ltd logo
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.
 

Current Board Positions

BOXPARK
Chair
Sep 2023 - Present
London, UK
BOXPARK is an innovative 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.
 
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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.
 

Current Advisory Roles

Inspired Minds
Advisory Board Member
Feb 2021 - Present
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.
 

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.
 
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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.