Graham Gilmore has replaced Linda Lennon CBE as chief executive of the London Stadium.
Gilmore served as chief operating officer of the venue, which was built for London’s staging of the 2012 summer Olympic Games, during Lennon’s tenure.
Gilmore began his career in West End theatres before holding senior roles at Premier League football club Leicester City and Championship side Fulham. He was first named as London Stadium’s chief operating officer in April 2015.
Gilmore said: “I am extremely proud to have been given the opportunity to lead London Stadium. I know of no stadium that has staged 55 event days of the magnitude that we have during the past 12 months and that’s a credit to the team that Linda and I established here.
“I look forward to leading the stadium operation and to welcoming event owners that share our ambition to become a leading venue in an extremely competitive landscape.”
During her final summer as chief executive, Lennon presided over the venue’s hosting of the World Athletics Championships and Para Athletic Championships, as well as concerts from Depeche Mode, Robbie Williams and Guns N’ Roses.
The stadium primarily serves as the home of Premier League club West Ham United.
The outgoing Lennon said: “I feel extremely proud to have led a fantastic team through an unprecedented series of events that culminated in the IAAF World Athletics Championships in August.
“The amount of work put into preparing the venue for Premier League football before three major transitions in readiness for music, athletics and back to football was phenomenal but served to confirm that there is almost no limit to what can be achieved here.
“I leave behind an extremely talented group of people who will ensure that event owners and ticket holders have the best possible experience every time they visit. London Stadium will always be close to my heart but it feels that the time is right to move on to new challenges.”
On Gilmore’s appointment, she added: “I am delighted that Graham has been appointed to lead and he is a natural successor given the respect that he commands and the part he has played to this point. He is an accomplished stadium operator and his drive to see London Stadium succeed is relentless.”
Image: Hammersfan
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