Melanie Smith CBE is the CEO of the NEC Group and joined the Group in September 2023.

With a wealth of leadership experience, previous roles have included CEO of Ocado.com, Strategy and Services Director for Marks & Spencer, Global Strategy and Marketing Director at Bupa, and Chief Operating Officer at TalkTalk. 

She is also the Deputy Chair of Sadler’s Wells and the Remuneration Committee Chair of SSE and is the founder of the Mokaraka Trust -  an education charity that funds Māori women who are pursuing university studies in business.

Paul joined the NEC Group as CFO in October 2023, bringing with him significant experience of the UK and European entertainment and media sectors.

Prior to joining NEC Group, Paul spent 10 years at AEG, where he was European CFO responsible for their venue, ticketing, touring and festival businesses across the region. He has also held a range of senior finance roles in advertising and media at WPP plc and Dentsu. Paul qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC.

Paul joined the NEC Group in 2013. His role involves the provision of corporate and commercial legal advice to the NEC Group on topics ranging from commercial contracts, regulatory compliance and corporate governance to managing disputes and litigation, as well as the appointment of external legal advisers and management of NEC Group’s insurance portfolio.

Before joining the NEC Group, Paul spent 4 years as Legal Counsel at Home Retail Group Plc prior to which he trained and qualified into the Corporate team at Birmingham law firm The Wilkes Partnership.

As Managing Director of Ticketing & Arenas for the NEC Group, Guy’s role sees him leading two of the UK’s leading live entertainment venues, Resorts World Arena and Utilita Arena Birmingham, in addition to Group ticketing arm, The Ticket Factory.

Guy has worked at the NEC Group for over 20 years, starting as an Assistant Event Manager and working his way up to General Manager – a position he held for 11 years before being promoted to Director in November 2018, and then Managing Director in March 2020.

With over 20 years of experience, Ian has a wealth of knowledge in the events industry.

He joined the NEC Group in 2014 as NEC Venue Sales Director and oversaw the commercial transformation of the exhibition business.

By 2020, Ian had become Managing Director for Conventions & Exhibitions. He is now responsible for the management of the NEC, ICC and Vox - the UK’s leading convention and exhibition venues.

Kevin joined the NEC Group in 2011, overseeing the redirection of Amadeus and transformation of the business through management restructure, revised procurement strategy, new business targets and greater accountability through a full-scale cultural change.

Amadeus is now one of the UK’s most reputable venue and event caterers, delivering catering solutions to over four million visitors a year at Group venues, as well as external events and venues.