David Hackett has joined Grass Roots as
deputy chairman of its events business, it has been announced.
Hackett, who has more than 35 years of event management experience, founded The
Travel Organisation in 1980, which rebranded as The Marketing Organisation in
1987, a company that was sold to BI in 2001. As chairman of BI (and
subsequently BI Worldwide) he led its acquisition of The MINT
Organisation, which extended the company’s operations into Australia, Asia and Dubai.
He left BI in 2011 to start a new venture that helped Smart Hospitality
win the catering at The Olympic Hospitality Centre – the most prestigious
dining venue at the 2012 Olympic Park.
Hackett will now chair the monthly meetings of the Grass Roots events businesses. This
part of the Grass Roots family manages billings in excess of £100m and has four
primary business locations: Fleet in Hampshire; Marlow in Buckinghamshire;
Putney London and Worcester. The directors responsible for each part of the
enterprise - Giselle Ripken (Fleet), Jon Shilling & Warren Hiller
(Marlow), Des McLaughlin (Putney) and Charles Moyle (Worcester) – will continue
in their roles as heads of these businesses.
David Evans, Grass Roots' founder and
executive chairman, said: "David Hackett and I have known one another for
two decades or more. He has a distinguished history in the space, is a clear
thinker and an experienced chairman. I enjoy his companionship, and it is
widely known that he treats the event industry with respect and dignity."
Pictured: David Hackett
