The NEC Group’s Chief Executive Officer Paul Thandi has won the ’Man of the Year’ award at the 2012 GG2 Leadership Awards, held in London on 21 November.
Now in its 14th year, the GG2 Leadership Awards, in partnership with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, are hosted by the Asian Media and Marketing Group (AMG), publishers of Garavi Gujarat and Eastern Eye and recognise top talent among Britain’s minority communities.
Thandi was put forward for the title by an independent panel of judges, who wanted to recognise him for his achievements and contribution to business, both regionally and nationally.
“Our winner is an inspirational figure who has left his mark in all the businesses he has led,” said Chairman of the GG2 judging panel, Barry Gardiner MP. “Having worked in multimedia and the exhibitions sector, our winner become the CEO of a major convention business in 2006.
“As CEO he has transformed the way the group’s venues are viewed around the world. The group now accounts for over £2bn of economic investment into the West Midlands and supports over 28,000 jobs in the region. Our winner is a central figure in the Midlands business world, not only helping to attract investment into the region but also nurturing a new generation of leaders.”
Gardiner continued: “Paul leads the NEC’s executive board and presides over what is one of the country’s largest and most high profile venue management companies. The creation of a new hotel and casino complex, Resorts World in 2015, will see the culmination of one of Paul’s most pressing ambitions, making the NEC not just about exhibition centre space but an exciting and vibrant visitor attraction.”
Prior to being appointed CEO of the NEC Group, Thandi spent 18 months as the Group’s Commercial Director, during which time he was responsible for delivering the largest haul of new business in any one year in the company’s history. Thandi takes an active role in developing talent and skills for the future and is currently the Chairman of the Solihull Employment and Skills Board.
“Winning this title is a real honour for me,” said Thandi. “I am very passionate about the work I do with young people, and I think awards like the GG2 are extremely important to help inspire the next generation and give them positive role models from their communities, to show them anything is possible if you are willing to put the in the hard work.”
Photo: Ramniklal Solanki CBE, Editor in Chief of Asian Media and Marketing Group; Rt Hon Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, Cabinet Office; Paul Thandi, CEO of The NEC Group; Milind Kangle, Group Chief Executive at Lyca Mobile; and Alok Sharma, MP.
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