UK OKAY

There is something about ruling the world that always appeals. It probably didn’t start out that way but the global impact that Cleanevent as a company is having is about to take another step in that direction with the founding of an office in the UK. The office as such, at this time, still has to manifest itself physically. That won’t actually happen until after the Olympic Games but there is a PO Box and a phone number and a body to help get things rolling.

The body, which those of you who have met me, knows that it could do with a bit of a make-over, is that of Bruce Smith. Age – a tad over 40 – and based out of the county of Hertfordshire which is just north of London. I have no background in waste, apart from the fact that I have always been good at making it, but I have been heavily involved in the stadium and arena marketplace over the past five or so years. This as editor of a magazine aimed at the industry and by supplementing my income with various bits of consultancy work.

This is how I first came into contact with the Lovett Boys at a meeting in Dallas some five years ago. Since then the meetings got more frequent. Then about a year ago Craig floated the idea that he would like to start an office in the UK and that it might be something for me to think about. By the time we met up again earlier this year in Honolulu the process had taken a more positive step. I followed that up with a trip to the Australian Grand Prix to get a feel of the operational side of things and meet the people. From that point on I was hooked.

Our rough plan was to get operational at some point in 2001. But earlier this year Craig tied in a trip to Greece with a visit to England and in the meantime I set up a few meetings for us to see what the market might be like. By the end of three visits on day one we both agreed that we had to get rolling straight away. So here I am. But where is the business?

The aim is to have a major contract secure before the end of the year. I am happy to report that we are well on the way towards that goal. When that contract is signed I will pay my own fare to Melbourne to ring the bell for the first time and provide the party as well. If and when this happens, it will be a result of those very first meetings. The global company has a close partnership with IMG and we are nurturing this in England too. If successful then we might be able to add the likes of tennis and golf to the list of Cleanevent UK contracts. This business will provide the basic funds for the UK office and allow us the space to move out into not just other UK arenas but into continental Europe as well.

For now, my job is to come to terms of the operational role of the company and get rid of the large green area from behind my ears. To that end I will be found in the Central Common Domain during the Games and will look to learn from the incredible talent within the company. Some of that talent will undoubtedly find its way to London post Games and provide the operational backup required. Just before then, a fellow Englishman, Pete Watts, who comes on the payroll on 1st August, will join me. Many of you will know Pete, who worked in Atlanta, has survived the US Tennis Open and will be joining us at Homebush Bay in September. That is one appointment I am very happy with and I know Pete will be instrumental and a vital factor in whatever we achieve in the UK.

My short stay in the Melbourne office recently also confirmed one thing to me. Everyone in the company will be a factor in the success of what happens here in the UK and I hope as many of you can share in it as possible. Listen for the Bell.