Kevin Watson, formerly operations director, takes over as managing director, responsible for all venues and events including the Olympics project.
Paul Thandi, chief executive of Amadeus parent company the NEC Group, said Watson might have only joined Amadeus in 2011 but “has already brought sound commercial, operational, retail and general business process to the organisation”.
He said: “We’re delighted to have Kevin on board; his experience, coupled with his energy and enthusiasm will drive Amadeus forward, continuing to push the boundaries in catering excellence.”
Watson said: “Amadeus is a great business, with a great product that is definitely going places and I’m over the moon to be taking on this role. I’m ready for the challenges and I know I have a fantastic team behind me.
“I’m now looking forward to motoring ahead with our ambitious plans to turnover more than £50m per year by delivering world class catering on a global stage, as well as opening several new contracts and growing our home venues, whilst not forgetting to have some fun with the team along the way.”
He has more than 15 years’ experience of retail, contract catering, retail catering and budget hotels both nationally and internationally including roles with Compass and Roadchef.
He will now join the executive board of the NEC Group.
The newly created role of food & beverage director has been taken by Marc Frankl, who has 19 years’ experience of working in the industry from hotels through to specialist consultancy.
He will work closely with the general managers of the venues as well as the operations managers for external events, including the newly appointed Amanda Fletcher.
She will have sole responsibility for all of Amadeus’s external events, including the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and the Scottish Open. Her role will be to grow the existing business as well as securing new external event opportunities.