Levy UK + Ireland, the sports and entertainment division of Compass Group, has appointed Richard Thompson as its new Chair.
Thompson takes on the newly established role after serving as Chair of both Surrey County Cricket Club and the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Outside of sport, Thompson served as Global Chair of M&C Saatchi Sports & Entertainment, where he represented artists including Jamiroquai, Geri Halliwell, Natalie Imbruglia, and Vanessa Mae. He was also Chair of the wider M&C Saatchi UK Group.
In addition to his business and sporting achievements, Thompson is actively involved in several charitable initiatives. He is an Ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society and the Founder and Chair of Sport United Against Dementia (SUAD).
Leaving school at 16, Thompson went on to establish and sell two successful businesses before embarking on a career in marketing services and talent management.
In his new role at Levy UK + Ireland, Thompson aims to drive the premiumisation of the company’s offering, building on its strong reputation in sports and entertainment hospitality.
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.”
Jon Davies, chief executive of Levy UK + Ireland, added: “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.'