Mark Lawrie joins Trivandi as chief strategy officer

Specialist sports and events consultancy Trivandi has made a high-profile scoop to its leadership team, welcoming former Deloitte senior partner Mark Lawrie on board as Chief Strategy Officer.

In his new role, Mark Lawrie will oversee Trivandi’s strategic direction and help the consulting firm shape the next chapter of its growth story.

Established in 2013, Trivandi is a 50-person consultancy firm (with a large associate network) dedicated to the major events and venues landscape. The has offices in London, Dubai and Riyadh, and supports its clients with strategy, design, delivery and operations.

“We are delighted to welcome Mark to Trivandi,” said James Bulley, CEO and Co-Founder of Trivandi. “His unparalleled experience in the major events industry will be invaluable as we build on our success from the last eleven years and accelerate forward to the next ambitious phase of our growth.”

“We have plans in motion to influence major changes and improvements in the major events and venues industry and expand into new sectors and markets. Mark is the perfect partner to help us successfully drive forward our strategy,” he continued.

Lawrie previously spent close to two dozen years at Deloitte Consulting, climbing the ranks to senior partner in its UK and Middle Easy business. His focus was on the public and sports sector, latterly serving as Global Leader of the Major Events practice. In the role, he played a key role in the delivery of Deloitte Consulting’s market-leading projects in the sports arena, including its support to the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup and the International Olympics Committee.

The past couple of years, Lawrie worked as an independent consultant (associated with Deloitte Consulting and Portas Consulting), providing counsel to major football clubs in the Premier League, supporting organisers of global events, and advising teams working on major event bids.

“Mark brings an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the strategy, design, implementation and governance of major events, in particular the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Expo 2020 Dubai. He is highly experienced in complex programme delivery in political environments, supporting governments, rights holders and delivery organisations as they undertake major events projects, from concept to execution,” said Bulley.

In a dual role at Trivandi, Lawrie will also spearhead the firm’s growth ambition in the Saudi Arabian market, which supports the Kingdom’s bourgeoning sports sector.

Trivandi’s track record in the Middle East includes working on mega projects including Sports Boulevard, Qiddiya, NEOM Sports, F1 Grand Prix’s in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Expo 2020 and COP28.

Comment in on his appointment, Lawrie said, “I’m hugely impressed by Trivandi’s achievements across the events and venues industry over recent years, as well as the breadth and depth of the projects that they have successfully delivered.”

“It is clear that Trivandi attracts the industry’s best talent but also that every member of their team is aligned by a deep passion for their work and a sense of responsibility to their clients. It is this, combined with how Trivandi is driving significant improvement in the major events and venues industry that really attracted me to become part of their team.”