News / Ashton Gate
New chair appointed at Ashton Gate
Mark Kelly, who was chief operating officer at Ashton Gate Ltd, has been appointed chair of the group.
Kelly will serve in this new role alongside his position as director of global property investments at Pula Limited and chief executive of the Ashton Gate Sporting Quarter.
Martin Griffiths, who had been at the helm for 12 years, has stepped down and will now focus on the Longmoor Village and Ashton Gate Sporting Quarter developments.
is needed now More than ever
The Sporting Quarter project, which is expected to begin by the end of 2025, includes a new sports and convention centre, a four-star hotel, flats, offices, and a multi-storey car park.
The Sporting Quarter project, which is expected to begin by the end of 2025, includes a new sports and convention centre, a four-star hotel, flats, offices, and a multi-storey car park – photo: Bristol Sport
Griffiths, who joined the Bristol Sport Group at its inception in late 2012, was instrumental in the redevelopment of Ashton Gate Stadium, guiding it from the early design stages to the completion of the two-year £50m transformation.
With extensive experience in hotel and venue transformations, Kelly joined the Bristol Sport group in late 2013 to oversee the operational delivery of the stadium transformation over three seasons, working under Griffiths.
Ashton Gate Stadium was rebuilt and transformed into a modern 27,000-seater, multi-use venue, operating 365 days a year. It is now home to Bristol City FC, Bristol Bears Rugby, and the headquarters of the Bristol Sport group.
In parallel with this operational project, Kelly established an internal catering organisation, which has since grown to a £6m turnover, becoming one of Bristol’s largest employers.
Steve Lansdown, founder of Bristol Sports and owner of Pula, which includes the Bristol Sport Group of clubs and Ashton Gate, said: “After more than a decade of managing the day-to-day operations of Ashton Gate Stadium, I’m delighted that Mark will now take on the chair role.
“This will allow him to focus more fully on overseeing the Pula projects in Africa and Guernsey, as well as advancing Pula’s international property ventures.
“With the Sporting Quarter development set to begin soon, Mark’s continued leadership as CEO of this project will be critical in driving its commercial success. His extensive experience and vision will be invaluable in guiding the future growth of Ashton Gate and its associated ventures.”
Ross Wormald, currently serving as interim chief operating officer (COO), will take on full responsibility for the day-to-day operations of Ashton Gate Ltd.
Ashton Gate Ltd is responsible for managing the stadium and its operations, including maintaining and improving the facilities, organising events, and overseeing the overall business side of the venue.
The company plays a crucial role in the stadium’s commercial success and is frequently involved in decisions regarding infrastructure upgrades, event scheduling, and partnerships.
Main image: Bristol Sport
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