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Levy UK + Ireland, the sports and entertainment hospitality arm of food services business, Compass Group, has appointed Richard Thompson as its Chair. This is a newly created role solidifying Levy’s leadership structure to accelerate its strategy for significant growth, including further expansion across Europe.
A highly respected figure in the sports and entertainment industry, Thompson joins Levy with a distinguished career demonstrating an expansive understanding of the premium hospitality and experiences market. He is known for his long-standing tenure as Chair of Surrey County Cricket Club, and now Chair of the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Outside of sport Thompson is the Global Chair of M&C Saatchi Sports & Entertainment – where he managed acts like Jamiroquai, Geri Halliwell, Natalie Imbruglia, and Vanessa Mae – as well as Chair of the broader M&C Saatchi UK Group. Thompson left school at 16, setting up and selling two businesses before switching his attention to Marketing services and talent management. Throughout his career, he has founded three start-up businesses, all of which have been successfully acquired or floated.
Commenting on his appointment, Thompson said: “I’m incredibly excited to turn this new position into something that can have real purpose. My primary focus will be finding ways to improve Levy’s reach and profile within the sporting and entertainment ecosystem to enable it to explore new opportunities, as well as expanding and reinforcing existing ones. Having worked in sports and entertainment events for over 30 years, I hope to use my experience and contact base to open doors, develop relationships, spot trends, and help elevate our already brilliant offering.”
Thompson is optimistic about the company’s trajectory, adding: “I think the opportunity to premiumise our offerings has never been greater. Sport as a sector is growing rapidly, and a combination of broadening our service in a dynamic sector that’s growing so fast is exceptionally exciting. Delighting customers and providing life-long memories should be at the centre of everything we do and everything I hope to focus on.”
Jon Davies, CEO of Levy UK + Ireland, welcomed the appointment, underscoring the strategic fit of the new Chair: “Getting Richard onboard isn’t just a natural progression; it’s a critical acceleration of our growth plan. Richard’s deep expertise in venue experiences and his proven track record in closing multiple major deals in the broader entertainment world will be invaluable for Levy. His history of successfully founding three start-up businesses provides us with a powerful foundation to unlock high-value partner investment opportunities. This appointment is perfectly timed to help us execute our strategy, particularly as we eye significant expansion. We are thrilled to have his vision guiding our board.”
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