A round-up of key appointments from within the sports and events industries over the past week.
Sodexo has appointed Vicki Neil to lead the conference and events team at Newcastle’s St James’ Park stadium (pictured). Neil has been recruited to the position by Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events, which works in partnership with Newcastle United Football Club to provide match-day catering, hospitality and event management at the stadium. Neil joins Sodexo from Carlsberg UK, where she served as a sales development manager.
England’s Premiership Rugby has appointed Ian Ritchie as its new independent, non-executive chairman. Ritchie most recently worked at the Rugby Football Union and has also held roles in tennis and as a non-executive director at the English Football League and Wembley Stadium. Ritchie has signed a two-year deal with Premiership Rugby.
Major League Baseball team the Philadelphia Phillies has appointed Sean Walker as the club’s chief technology officer. Walker’s responsibilities will include improving the fan experience at the Phillies’ Citizens Bank Park stadium. Walker previously served as vice-president of innovation for NHL ice hockey team the Tampa Bay Lightning.
SSE Arena, Wembley is seeking a new catering operations manager. Interested candidates can email fred.wilson@compass-
Kenneth Hardiman has been named as the senior executive chef for the Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center, the new arena that will serve as the home of NBA basketball team the Milwaukee Bucks. Levy Restaurants will be the food and beverage provider at the arena, which is slated to open later this year.
The Wisconsin Center District has appointed Doug Johnson as its vice-president of entertainment and sports. Johnson previously worked as the senior director of arena entertainment at BMO Harris Bradley Center, the current home of the Milwaukee Bucks.
AOK Events has appointed Corinne Kirtland as a venue-finding executive for its AOK Venues division. Kirtland previously spent 18 months at Inspirational Venues.
Do you have news of an appointment that we should know about? Get in touch by emailing news.editor@thestadiu
Image: Martin Le Roy
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