Access All AreasTicketmaster Sport has hired former IMG exec François Westcombe as managing director for EMEA.
Westcombe, who succeeds Chris Gratton, joins the ticketing giant from IMG where he was vice president, corporate development, digital. Over the past decade he has worked with many of the world’s leading sports organisations, including FIFA, UEFA, Bundesliga, The R&A, Six Nations, MLB, NFL, FIBA, Concacaf and the IOC, as well as dozens of sports teams.
Ticketmaster said Westcombe’s appointment comes at a time of significant growth, with new partnerships including FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, Dubai Racing, Dutch football club Go Ahead Eagles and the Arabian Gulf Cup biennial football tournament that is also known as Khaleeji 27. The latter will also mark Ticketmaster’s first SafeTix rollout in the Gulf.
Ticketmaster EMEA regional vice president Andrew Parsons said, “Sport is one of the clearest growth stories in our EMEA business, and François brings exactly the perspective we need for the next phase. Chris has built Ticketmaster Sport into a business that clients actively seek out, and we’re looking forward to building on that momentum as François takes the business forward.”
“Ticketmaster Sport has an enviable portfolio of partners and a strong platform to build from,” said Westcombe. “I’m looking forward to working with the team to accelerate the next phase of growth across EMEA.”