Paul Thandi CBE

Paul Thandi is the CEO of the NEC Group, the UK’s leading live events business, which has over forty-seven years of world-class expertise in venue and destination management.

The Group operates the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Resorts World Arena, the Vox Conference Venue (Vox), International Convention Centre (ICC) and Utilita Arena Birmingham in the heart of the UK. It also manages a range of support services – a national ticketing agency, The Ticket Factory; hospitality brand, Amplify; award-winning caterer, Amadeus; and consultancy and venue management arm, NEC Group Venue Partnerships.

Paul sits on the Boards of Metrobank PLC, West Midlands Growth Company, Inspired Minds and the British Allied Trade Federation. He is also the Chair of the Solihull Skills and Employment Board, plus a patron of Marie Curie, Best Beginnings and Heads Together charities. Paul mentors a handful of CEOs and business leaders and is an advisor to the sports industry on the Diversity and Inclusion Agenda.

He was recognised for his dedication to the development of business and his contribution to the national economy by the Queen in the 2020 New Year’s Honours List, with the awarding of a CBE. This goes alongside his duties as a representative of the Queen in the region, under his role as a Deputy Lieutenant.