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Paul Thandi CBE DL

CEO

NEC Group

Birmingham, UK

Paul Thandi

Sally Tennant OBE

Acorn Capital Advisers

Freedom Acquisition Corporation 1

Paul Thandi’s Biography

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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

Paul Thandi’s Newsfeed

CEO Stories: NEC boss on waking a ‘sleeping giant’

Paul Thandi, NEC Group’s CEO, talks about his role in the Group’s transformation into one of the top entertainment and leisure companies in Europe.

The Business Desk

Birmingham stakes claim to host 2023 Eurovision Song Contest

CEO of NEC Group, Paul Thandi said that the NEC and Birmingham would be honoured to host the prestigious competition.

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Paul Thandi’s Background

NEC Group

CEO

2006 - Present

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.

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

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

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.

NEC Group

Director

Jun 2015 - Present

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.

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.

Birmingham and Solihull Employment and Skills Board

Chairman

Jun 2015 - Present

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.

West Midlands Growth Company

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.

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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 & Endorsements

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.