Alan was born in Manchester and obtained a Degree in Industrial Economics at Nottingham University.
He joined Deloittes and on qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1990 Alan joined First Leisure PLC plc – one of the UK’s largest entertainment companies - rising to Finance Director of the Resorts Division. Here he had direct financial responsibility for £60 million turnover from a portfolio of assets including piers, hotels, nightclubs – and the world famous Blackpool Tower.
He returned to his home town in 1995 to join Ogden Entertainment Services on the opening of the Manchester Arena. After playing a key executive role in the development of the international award winning venue, he was promoted to European Finance Director when SMG purchased Ogden in 2000.
This pan-european role saw him working across nine venues in England, Ireland, and Germany. In 2004 Alan was made Vice-President, SMG Europe, with overall responsibility for budgeting, banking, risk management, tax compliance and planning across the group.
He is currently leading the SMG Europe project team on the new Leeds Arena, working in conjunction with Leeds City Council and the architects on the £65 million venue due to open in 2012.
