Olympia Events announces promotion of Stuart Tomlinson to Venue Services Director

Olympia Events, managed by Legends Global, has announced the promotion of Stuart Tomlinson to the role of Venue Services Director.

The announcement follows a series of senior appointments at Olympia Events as the organisation strengthens its leadership team ahead of Olympia’s £1.3bn regeneration and the revitalisation of its heritage halls, and the launch of its new International Convention Centre (ICC) and The Addison premium lounge.

Stuart Tomlinson brings more than 28 years of experience in the events and exhibitions industry. He spent a decade at Earls Court Exhibition Centre, joining as an Event Manager in 2005 and progressing to Head of Events & Contracts in 2013. During his tenure, he oversaw a broad portfolio of major exhibitions and live events and played a key role in delivering the volleyball competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Following the closure of Earls Court in 2014, Tomlinson joined Olympia as Deputy Director of Operations, where he has since supported the venue’s operational development and long-term transformation.

In his new role as Director of Venue Services at Olympia Events, Tomlinson will lead facilities management, soft services, security, traffic management and logistics. He will be responsible for driving operational performance, maximising revenue and delivering consistent service standards for every event. He will also support the delivery of Olympia’s sustainability strategy, The Grand Plan, working closely with the venue's Sustainability Lead to advance initiatives aligned with the organisation’s commitment to reach net zero by 2050.

Tomlinson’s expertise in venue operations, cost management, and large-scale event delivery will be instrumental to Olympia’s next phase of growth, ensuring the venue continues to set benchmarks for operational excellence and client service across the heritage halls, ICC and The Addison.

His promotion is a testament to his outstanding contribution to Olympia, recognising the impact he has made over the last decade, his in-depth knowledge of the venue, and his unwavering commitment to its long-term ambitions.

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Alex Lewis, COO at Olympia Events, said:

“I’m delighted to announce Stuart Tomlinson’s promotion to lead our Venue Services function. His extensive experience and knowledge of the venue will be invaluable as we enter this next phase of our evolution.

“Stuart’s appointment, alongside the new Event Operations Director, will help streamline efficiencies and establish a fully integrated, service-led team dedicated to driving exceptional client and guest experiences. Exhibitions still remain central to our business, and these new appointments will ensure we continue to lead the sector, further strengthened by the new spaces opening at Olympia this year.”

Olympia’s transformation is one of the most ambitious regeneration projects in the world. The redevelopment will restore and revitalise the historic heritage halls while introducing a new International Convention Centre (ICC) and The Addison premium lounge, operated by Olympia Events in partnership with Legends Global. The destination will also feature new hotels, restaurants, offices, bars, cultural venues and a new public realm.

Commenting on his appointment, Tomlinson said:

“Having been part of Olympia since 2015, and previously at Earls Court, I’m proud to support the growth of our heritage halls and the launch of the ICC and The Addison. It’s a privilege to see this transformation come to life alongside our clients, and I look forward to leading our service teams as we gear towards getting these spaces fully open and operational, with a focus on venue excellence and innovation.”

Tomlinson started his new position on 1 March 2026. The new venues and public spaces at Olympia will open in phases, culminating with the new theatre in early 2027. The International Convention Centre will open this spring, followed by The Addison later this summer.