Venue big guns for ASM Global MENA Region

Image: ASM Global

ASM Global, the global venue management and live-events company, has announced the promotion of three leaders for the Middle East North Africa (MENA) Region for ASM Global – Mark Jan Kar, Deb Rogers and Iain Wooldridge.

‘c-mw.net’ stated that Mark Jan Kar has been promoted to Senior Vice-President of Entertainment, Content and Programing for the region as well as the General Manager of the 17,000-capacity Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai (UAE).

Los Angeles (US)-based ASM Global is the world’s leading venue management company and producer of live event experiences. With over 400+ premier venues spanning worldwide, we operate and invest in the world’s most important stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theaters, including entertainment districts and mixed-use developments.

‘c-mw.net’ further stated that Kar first worked at the arena as the Commercial Director in 2018, then leading live entertainment in 2019 and becoming the General Manager in 2021. Prior to his positions at the Coca-Cola Arena, Kar was the Vice-President of Strategic Partnerships at the International Management Group (IMG) representing some of the biggest names in the world of sport and entertainment.

Commented Kar, “The exponential growth and development across the MENA region mean we can harness the power and pure enjoyment of live entertainment and events across this region as a driver of not only economic growth but an envious lifestyle.”

Rogers’ time with the ASM Global began with the 52,500-capacity Suncorp Stadium in Milton (Australia) in 2002 as the human resources (HR) and Training Manager and since then has included the iconic Burj Al Arab (luxury hotel in Dubai), the 27,000-capacity Qatar National Convention Centre, Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, and the Exhibition World Bahrain.

Rogers has successfully delivered 10 pre-openings, many learning and development programs, onboarded thousands of staff (including 5,000 casual staff for the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change [UNFCCC] COP-19 in Qatar) and built teams across the region.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the United Nations (UN) process for negotiating an agreement to limit dangerous climate change. It is an international treaty among countries to combat “dangerous human interference with the climate system”.

In her new role, Rogers will be responsible for supporting and advising HR business units across Asia and MENA.

Remarked Rogers, “The Middle East is my second home having lived and worked in Qatar, Oman, Dubai, Bahrain, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the past 15-plus years. I see firsthand the life-changing role we play in providing training, employment and local leadership development through our venues.”

Iain Wooldridge is a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with two decades of experience in financial leadership across the United Kingdom and the Middle East. He has been the Finance Director of Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, since 2019.

Prior to joining ASM Global, Wooldridge held the role of Finance Director for an International food and beverage (F&B) Investment Group during a period of rapid expansion. He has also held a variety of finance and strategic positions across eight years with Universal Pictures in London.

Maintained Wooldridge, “With so much activity across the Middle East Region, the ASM Global continues to deliver superior financial outcomes to our partners.”

Observed Harvey Lister, ASM Global (APAC) Chairman-cum-head honcho, “The combined expertise of these professionals will generate enormous growth across our MENA region which is powerful for the joint success not only of our venues but for the developing entertainment industry across the region.”

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