Features

People on the move: The O2, US Soccer and more

The O2 has appointed Robbie Balfour as brand and marketing director for the London venue’s full campus, which includes the arena, Icon Outlet, Up at The O2 and the entertainment district.

Balfour (pictured) will work alongside Steve Sayer, vice-president and general manager at The O2, to reimagine the customer experience at the venue and will seek to build on its reputation as a “full day and night out destination”.

Balfour has over a decade of marketing experience working across brands such as Sky and Puma.

“I’m delighted to be joining The O2 at such an exciting time for the business,” Balfour said. “The opportunity to extend The O2 arena’s world-class reputation and build on the work that the team have already done in positioning The O2 as a must-visit destination, with outlet shopping and the wider entertainment and F&B offerings is huge, and something I’m excited to help shape.”

Will Wilson is stepping down from his role as chief executive and secretary general of the US Soccer national governing body.

Wilson, who was appointed in March 2020, will leave US Soccer in October ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. US Soccer has begun a nationwide search for a successor, with Wilson to remain chief executive and secretary general during a transitional period to ensure continuity of operations.

Anika Wells has been appointed Australia’s Minister for Sport following the election of Anthony Albanese as the country’s new Prime Minister.

The appointment comes as Australia prepares to host a number of major sporting events in the coming years, with Victoria to stage the Commonwealth Games in 2026 before the Olympic Games head to Brisbane in 2032. Wells is expected to serve on the board of directors for the latter’s organising committee, replacing Richard Colbeck.

Australia will also host this year’s FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, while it will co-host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup alongside New Zealand. Australia will also host the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in 2027 and 2029, respectively.

ASM Global has appointed Sam Ryder as general manager of York Barbican.

Ryder joins from Hull’s Bonus Arena, which is also operated by ASM Global. Ryder delivered sold-out live events featuring the likes of Noel Gallagher, Stereophonics and Michael McIntyre.

He will begin his new role from July as York Barbican heads into a busy summer with events including the UK Snooker Championship as well as gigs from Jason Manford, Katherine Ryan, Marc Almond, The Proclaimers and Jools Holland.

AEG Presents has appointed Melissa Ormond as chief operating officer of Goldenvoice, the Los Angeles-based concert promoter and live events company which it owns.

Ormond will also retain her current title as chief operating officer of festivals for AEG Presents, a position she has held since October 2017.

As chief operating officer of Goldenvoice, she will oversee day-to-day operations of the company’s concert promotions, venue portfolio and festivals, as well as strategic growth initiatives throughout California and the western US. She will report to Goldenvoice chief executive Paul Tollett alongside her current reporting to AEG Presents chairman and chief executive Jay Marciano.

Do you have news of an appointment that we should know about? Get in touch by emailing news.editor@thestadiumbusiness.com and we’ll include it in our next round-up.

Image: The O2