ASM Global Appointed To Manage Olympia London

Olympia London.
– Olympia London.
ASM Global has been appointed to run operations at the historic building.

ASM Global has been appointed to run operations at Olympia London, the  exhibition centre in central London and one of Europe’s most historic venues, which is currently being redeveloped for £1.3 billion ($1.7 billion).

The announcement is a further step forward in the redevelopment of Olympia London and will see ASM Global take management responsibility for the exhibitions and events business. 
The move expands ASM’s footprint in Europe and brings “global knowledge-sharing to enable Olympia London to compete harder in international markets,” according to the announcement.
The management teams of both Olympia London and ASM Global have already been working together on a “venue enhancement plan for world-class conference and hospitality facilities,” with further details to be announced soon. 
The senior management team and all Olympia London staff will move to ASM Global under TUPE regulations (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment)).
 
Olympia London has been a cultural and architectural landmark since opening its doors in 1886. In recent years, the venue has attracted more than 1.6 million visitors and hosted over 200 events each year. 
The wider Olympia site is currently being redeveloped as a cultural district  for art, culture, education, entertainment, exhibitions, music, state-of-the-art offices as well as food and beverage.
Olympia London.
– Olympia London.
Aerial shot.

The $1.7 billion redevelopment of Olympia, scheduled to be completed in 2024, includes a 4,400 capacity live music venue; a 1,575-seat performing arts theater; a school for the creative arts; 100,000 square feet of restaurants, bars and eateries; two globally renowned hotels; 550,000 square feet of offices and 2.5 acres of new public realm.

ASM Global has partnered with Yoo Capital and Deutsche Finance International on the project. According to Ron Bension, president and CEO of ASM Global, the partnership will position Olympia London “at the forefront of the industry for the next 100 years. Our commitment to guest and partner satisfaction aligns with the reputation of Olympia London and we look forward to continuing to serve existing and new clients’ event schedules at Olympia London and developing the programme with other signature events.”
 
The building’s managing director, Nigel Nathan, will transition to a new role as chairman over the coming months, once ASM appoints a replacement MD to lead the day-to-day running of the Olympia London business.
 
Nathan commented, “This is a truly exciting chapter in the history of Olympia London – a partnership with a global venue management company with far wider business reach and resources than we could have ever imagined. The future for Olympia London and the events we host has never been brighter as we benefit from the £1.3 billion investment to create an outstanding destination for London. 
“I decided some time ago to transition from managing director to chairman and now is the perfect time to begin that process knowing that the business is in the best position to benefit from the globalisation of events in partnership with ASM Global.”
 
Tom Lynch, group commercial director & SVP, Europe, at ASM Global, said: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with owners of Olympia and their management team at Olympia London, during such an exciting and pivotal time for the venue, and for our industry. We’re already working together on innovative plans for the venue, to add value to existing clients of Olympia London and new opportunities for London as an event destination. Olympia completes the jigsaw for our international convention and exhibition portfolio and adds an iconic new platform for our global client base.”
Lloyd Lee, managing partner of Yoo Capital, added: “Since we embarked on our masterplan project for Olympia, we have sought to partner with some of the most talented local and global names to create a real community of arts, entertainment and exhibitions. Partnering with ASM in exhibitions brings an unparalleled global network that places Olympia firmly on the world map, as befits central London’s premier exhibition centre, while also ensuring we can bring global best practice to the thousands of UK SMEs who come to Olympia London’s halls each year.”
 
Gavin Neilan, co-founder and co-managing partner of Deutsche Finance International, and current chairman of Olympia London, said:  “The success we have had to date in securing new occupiers and operators across the many and varied opportunities at Olympia is a reflection of the scale of the future prospects at this iconic venue and testament to the outstanding management team, which will be retained. The calibre of ASM Global as an anchor operator, and the depth of expertise it will bring to the renowned exhibition space, makes this another important milestone in our plans to unlock Olympia’s wider value potential as an internationally recognised, vibrant new cultural, leisure and business hub for London.”