The NEC Group has announced a leadership succession. Chief financial officer Paul Reeve will replace Melanie Smith as CEO at the end of 2025.
Reeve, who joined as CFO in October 2023, will assume the role on 1 January 2026. He will in turn be succeeded as CFO by Stephen Goodluck, currently group finance director at Bourne Leisure.
Smith will remain involved with the business as senior adviser to Blackstone, the NEC’s owner. She joined the group in 2021 and led its post-pandemic recovery and restructuring.
Sir Nick Varney, chair of NEC Group, said: “Melanie has done an amazing job as CEO. She joined at a pivotal time, tasked with refocusing, streamlining and accelerating the business in the wake of the global pandemic’s impact on our industry. Today, the NEC Group is thriving.”
Varney said Reeve had been “instrumental” in shaping the group’s strategy since 2023. “Under his leadership, we are excited about the opportunities ahead,” he said.
Reeve said: “I am honoured to be appointed CEO of such an iconic business as the NEC Group … we are well positioned to build on our success.”
Smith said it had been a “privilege” to lead the company and praised the “energy and passion” of NEC colleagues. She added: “The NEC creates amazing experiences and lifelong memories for our customers, as it has for me, and I look forward to seeing the business continue to scale new heights under the direction of Paul and our brilliant team.”
Goodluck brings experience from Bourne Leisure, Dunelm Group and Sainsbury’s Argos. Reeve spent 10 years at AEG as European CFO, overseeing venue, ticketing, touring and festival operations across the region.