The managing director of the Ricoh Arena, Andy Gibb, is to leave his position following the ‘merger’ of the stadium operator and parent company Wasps.
Gibb has held the role since early 2015 but will leave in the next few days, according to the Coventry Telegraph newspaper.
It is the latest departure in a restructuring of the Ricoh Arena organisation since Wasps took control in October 2014 after buying out stadium operating company ACL. It was announced in May that Wasps chief executive David Armstrong will step down this summer.
Discussing Gibb’s departure, Nick Eastwood, the new Wasps Group chief executive, told the Coventry Telegraph: “As we are all aware, we have made huge strides in the last two-and-a-half years, since Wasps acquired the Ricoh Arena.
“For the next stage of its development and growth, we need to complete the merger of the two organisations so that we operate as a single business entity.
“On that basis, we have agreed with Andy Gibb that it makes sense for him to move on from the business and seek bigger and better opportunities elsewhere.
“Andy has played a pivotal role in the success of the move and the development of the ACL business and we wish him all the very best for the next stage of his career.”
Ricoh Arena judicial review application
Gibb, an ex-Wasps player, was formerly chief commercial officer at international events company GES. He was previously managing director of Opex Exhibition Services, group exhibition director of IIR Middle East and group exhibition director of Blenheim Exhibitions.
Wasps, formerly based in High Wycombe, began playing home games at the 32,000-capacity Ricoh Arena in December 2014.
Wasps attracted an average gate of 19,530 during the 2016-17 season, making them the third most-watched team in the Aviva Premiership.
Later this month, companies associated with football club Coventry City FC, which is also a tenant at the stadium, will present an application for a judicial review of Coventry City Council’s decision to sell their half of the Ricoh Arena company to Wasps three years ago. The case will be heard at the High Court in Birmingham.
Image: Amanda Slater
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