The company that organises the Great North Run has set its sights on growth and made a series of senior appointments.
The Great Run Company, which is putting together the finishing touches on preparations for its flagship event this weekend, has appointed former BP managing director Peter Mather to replace Sir Brendan Foster as chairman. Sir Brendan, the former athlete and TV commentator who founded the Great North Run in 1981, will move to a new role as president of the company.
As well as the Great North Run, the company stages mass participation sports events around the UK, but has endured a difficult two years that saw many of its events cancelled, including the 2020 half marathon from Newcastle to South Shields. After weathering that storm, the company has now signalled “ambitious plans” to set up new events and invest in existing parts of its business.
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As well as appointing Mr Mather to chair the company, it has announced the appointment of two new board members, Nick Read and Felicity Barnard.
Chief executive Paul Foster said, “We’re looking forward to welcoming these three talented individuals to the board as the company moves to the next stage in its evolution. We want to continue to grow and build the Great North Run and the organisation around it. Peter, Felicity and Nick will be an important part of our journey to 50.
“Over the next five years The Great Run Company has ambitious plans. We’re working on product innovations like 13 Valleys, an epic ultra-marathon event in the Lake District National Park, we’re making a significant investment into our production company Film Nova and continuing to develop and grow the Great Run Series – the UK’s biggest mass participation events series.”
Mr Mather was previously BP Group regional president (SVP) for Europe and head of country for the UK. He left BP as a full time executive earlier this year. He said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Great Run Company at such an exciting time. The event celebrated an incredible milestone in 2021 with the 40th Great North Run and it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to drive that legacy forward.
“Although I have some big shoes to fill, I’m looking forward to supporting the talented team, as they continue to build on their world class reputation in mass participation sporting events. I’m a passionate believer in the power of sport, in particular mass participation events, to enhance people’s lives and have a lasting, positive impact on our communities.”
The Great Run Company has appointed Nick Read, commercial director at Silverstone and Felicity Barnard, commercial director of Ascot Racecourse, as non-executive directors. The appointments have come less than a week before the 41st Great North Run sees more than 50,000 runners aim to complete the half-marathon, with the race returning to its traditional route after a change last year because of the pandemic. Running events in Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Portsmouth and Glasgow are also part of its schedule, as well as the Great North Swim at Windermere.
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