ExCeL London, the capital’s international convention and events venue, has announced the key appointment of James Mark as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Mark, who rejoined the ExCeL team earlier this year, assumes the COO role to provide strategic leadership and full oversight of the venue’s extensive operational departments.
Having worked at ExCeL from 2000 to 2016, Mark is a well-known figure in
the UK events industry. He was a key member of the launch team during his first
stint, helping to deliver over 3,000 events and contributing significantly to
the venue’s successful operational delivery of the London 2012 Olympic &
Paralympic Games. His career also includes senior leadership positions across
notable UK venues such as Earls Court, the London Stadium, and the Barbican
Centre, as well as Therme Group UK.
Mark will be a key member of the ExCeL Executive and Leadership teams in his
new role, spearheading daily operations and advancing the company’s long-term
growth. Roger Hooker, who had been in the role since March 2023, is his
successor. The ongoing operations leadership, which consists of Facilities
Director Lee Lacey and Venue Operations Director Kerrie Kemp, will assist Mark.
ExCeL’s CEO, Jeremy Rees, commented on the appointment, saying: “James has
shown outstanding leadership, strategic insight, and operational expertise
since rejoining the ExCeL family, drawing upon his extensive knowledge of the
events industry.” He has a profound understanding of our operational
requirements thanks to his wide range of experience, and I’m glad to have
someone of his caliber on board. Our dedication to the events industry and our
goal of becoming the world’s greatest event destination are furthered by this
significant appointment and our ongoing investments in our personnel, venue,
and infrastructure.
“It’s a true honor to be returning to
ExCeL, a place that has many wonderful memories for me,” James Mark
continued. ExCeL has grown significantly in the 25 years since it first opened,
and I can’t wait to continue this journey with the team to provide our event
organizers, exhibitors, and guests with the best possible experiences.
