Ken Edwards Email & Phone Number

Orlando, Fl, Us

Sydney & New York

> Strategic specialist in the business of sport, entertainment, major events, venue management & infrastructure > Roles and projects undertaken with professional sporting organizations including for the National Rugby League (NRL), the Australian Football League (AFL) & the Football Federation of Australia (FFA)> Advisor to infrastructure & event bidding teams including to Brookfield Multiplex for the new Perth Stadium & to the Plenary Group bid for Sydney Place Convention & Exhibition Center> Consulted to Government re investment strategies to better optimize planning for Public Assembly Facilities, Infrastructure and Major Events> JV'd with Indian based Techfront & led a start up (Wotwerx), focussed on commercial applications of digital technology to professional sporting leagues & broadcasters focussed on fan engagement/revenues> Facilitated acquisition by Techfront of leading digital signage company - ScreenCorp> Assisted the AFL and the ICC (2015 Cricket World Cup) develop its strategy re digital signage & fan engagement> Appointed by the FFA to advise it re ownership options for the Newcastle Jets A-League franchise & to negotiate its sale to a new Owner> Engaged by the Hunter Sports Group (HSG) to establish its strategic plan & to;- restructure & relaunch the Jets- procure the David Beckham/LA Galaxy V Jets QANTAS Cup (sold out)- acquire the Newcastle Knights NRL franchise - 97% of Knights members voted in favor- engaged NRL master coach - Wayne Bennett- procured 3 televised international Netball tests & 1 televised international Rugby League test > Engaged by the Parramatta Eels NRL club to restructure & develop a 5 year Strategic Plan.

Sydney, Australia

> Joined SAG via role as MD & CEO of inaugural operator, Ogden IFC (Sydney)> SAGs key asset was Sydney's $1.5b Olympic Stadium>The Stadium has been critically acclaimed as the most commercially viable and successful Olympic Stadium of modern times > The Stadium was built, owned and operated by the private sector - stapled securities in SAG traded on the ASX> Created the strategic plan and implemented the business and operating plans > Oversaw procurement and presentation of world class sports and entertainment events including the Rugby World Cup, FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, NFL Denver V San Diego, NRL Grand Finals & State of Origins as well as 'home' games of the NRLs Rabbitohs, Bulldogs, Tigers & Dragons, the AFL's Swans AND entertainment events including the Rolling Stones, U2, ACDC etc> Set world records for crowd attendance, implemented new industry standards of customer service> Successfully led a diverse group of stakeholders, lenders and shareholders through a myriad of complex contracts, opportunities & challenges in a high profile environment> Ensured that construction finished on time and within budget – including the $80m reconfiguration of the Stadium after the Olympics - capacity reduced from 110,000 to 83,500 and moveable seating installed to accommodate rectangular and oval events> Built a business culture and executive team considered to be ‘world best’> Led the restructuring negotiations for the refinancing of the Stadium resulting in the $196m buyout and subsequent delisting and internalisation of the management of the business> Twice secured the biggest naming rights sponsorship deals in the southern hemisphere – Telstra and ANZ> Developed Sydney’s most valuable corporate hospitality and membership assets, including - 17,000 Gold Members, 600 Platinum Members, Xseats (PSLs), 100 corporate suites, 160 private boxes, 4 X 250 seat restaurants, 2 X 1000 seat function centres- Acquired F&B business from Sodexho and internalized operation

During my tenure, Ogden IFC won management contracts for projects including ANZ Stadium, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Cairns Convention Centre, and in Perth the Concert Hall, His Majesty’s Theatre, Playhouse Theatre and Subiaco Theatre Centre.Ogden IFC also undertook specialist consulting throughout the Asia/Pacific region including for landmark infrastructure projects such as Beijing Convention Centre, Putrajaya Convention Centre, Gold Coast Convention & Entertainment Centre and Gold Coast Stadium.Oversaw the expansion of Ogden IFC’s operations in Asia and significant consulting projects including feasibility, design review and management advisory services for a raft of high-profile international stadia, arena and convention center projects.