Sports Hub appoints new CEO

THE Singapore Sports Hub has appointed Manu Sawhney as its new chief executive officer (CEO). Mr Sawhney will join the Singapore Sports Hub on Sept 1 as CEO-designate before assuming his formal CEO responsibilities, which will commence on Oct 1.

Mr Sawhney was the managing director of ESPN Star Sports (ESS). He was responsible for the overall business leadership and profits and losses of the company across 24 countries in Asia, and was also responsible for developing the strategy for overall business expansion for the company.

He has held various roles of responsibility across the sports, media and entertainment group, since joining ESS in India in 1996. Mr Sawhney is also a serving director of Manchester United plc and an adviser to Star India Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of 21st Century Fox.

Said Mr Sawhney: "I am honoured to be given the opportunity to steer Sports Hub's operations and look forward to building on the strong foundations already in place. As a member of the Steering Committee of the 28th SEA Games held in Singapore, I was impressed by the role the Singapore Sports Hub and its dedicated team of professionals played at the Games. As a multi-faceted venue, it was truly a fulcrum point of the Games.

"I look forward to working with all our key stakeholders to realise Sports Hub's potential as a national and global icon and an integrated sports, entertainment and lifestyle hub that delivers world-class events alongside a full calendar of community activities."

Sports Hub's current CEO, Philippe Collin-Delavaud, will stay until the end of December 2015. Mr Collin-Delavaud has led Sports Hub as CEO since its inception in December 2010.

"Philippe has done an outstanding job leading the company through the construction phase to stable operations and building a tremendous team to take the Singapore Sports Hub forward. We are grateful for his contribution and wish him all the best," said Mark Woodhams, chairman of the board of Sports Hub.