2014 Games appoint commercial chief

Sep 17 2012

A member of the London 2012 commercial team has been appointed deputy chief executive of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Ty Speer, client services director of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, will lead Glasgow 2014's £100 million commercial programme. The 46-year-old, originally from Atlanta, Georgia in the US, will take up the new post in early November.

David Grevemberg, chief executive of Glasgow 2014, said: "Ty brings with him a wealth of delivering experience at the highest levels of international sporting events. His knowledge, experience and leadership will all be great assets to the organising committee in delivering on our ambitions of an outstanding Commonwealth Games for Glasgow and for Scotland."

The Commonwealth Games have a budget of £524 million, of which the organising committee will raise £100 million in commercial revenue.

Mr Speer will organise the teams delivering the revenue across sponsorship, ticketing, international broadcast rights sales, licensing and merchandising as well as taking management responsibility for a number of other areas.

"Glasgow 2014 is a dynamic and exciting opportunity for Scotland and I am thrilled to be part of what will be a great success story for the city and for Scotland," he said.

"It is clear from commitment shown and the enthusiasm generated that the Games already have a fantastic momentum. I look forward to maximising all opportunities to deliver an outstanding sporting and cultural celebration of which Scotland can be proud."

In his role during London 2012, he was in charge of key sponsorship projects such as the Olympic Torch Relay, the volunteer programme, the Cultural Olympiad and the Paralympic Games.

Chris Townsend, commercial director of London 2012, said: "Ty has made a valuable contribution to the overall success of the London 2012 commercial programme, both in generating income and in providing delivery leadership for our commercial partners. I am sure he will commit himself to the success of Glasgow 2014."

Sir Chris Hoy, Britain's most successful Olympian, and swimmer Rebecca Adlington have been named as official ambassadors of the 2014 Games.