Levy announces appointment of Richard Thompson as Chair – Poised for next phase of growth

Levy UK + Ireland, a leading sports and entertainment hospitality provider, and part of FTSE 100 global leader in food services, Compass Group PLC, has announced the appointment of Richard Thompson as its Chair; a newly created role marking a pivotal moment for the company. The move solidifies 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, Richard 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, Richard 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.”

The 2026 SVB LIVE Conference & Exhibition – focused on elevating the live experience – is being hosted at Everton FC’s spectacular new Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 1st and 2nd, and will include a VIP tour of this venue, as well as other Liverpool landmark venues. Levy was Diamond Sponsor for the 2025 edition, hosted at Villa Park, with VIP tours of bp pulse LIVE and the home of Birmingham City FC, all Levy venues.

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.”

Thompson, who was previously a client of Levy while chairing Oval Events, praised the company’s culture:

“Having been a customer, I can see through their eyes, which will benefit all our key clients. The Levy team’s ability to deliver at scale is second to none, and the quality of the people has always impressed me the most. I know ‘legendary experiences’ has always been the underpinning mantra of Levy, and I see nothing is too much trouble to not just impress a customer, but to well and truly exceed their expectations. I am really excited to be able to meet as many people as I can and learn from those particularly on the front line that understand what the customer wants.”

Beyond his commercial roles, Richard is passionate about raising awareness in the fight against dementia and is an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society and Chair and founder of Sport United Against Dementia (SUAD). He is also a lifelong cricket fan, keen golfer, cyclist and advocate of promoting social mobility and using sport as a vehicle to encourage inclusivity at all levels.

About Levy

Levy is about elevating experiences. A leading global hospitality partner, designing and delivering unforgettable guest experiences that prioritise people and the planet.

Trusted by some of the world’s most iconic stadia, entertainment venues and marquee events to bring their spaces to life, Levy is driven by a mission to succeed in the right way. From pioneering tech to seamless operations, show-stopping menus to exceptional service, Levy uses data and insights to understand guest behaviour and the customer journey while minimising environmental impact and supporting local communities.

Levy is a passionate, diverse, and talented team of venue specialists dedicated to making the planet better for future generations.

Source, courtesy: Levy

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