What inspired the founding of CSE and why the focus on both corporate and sporting events? Business background [incl. expertise, previous businesses etc.]
I established CSE with a clear aim to become a leader in delivering world-class logistical and management solutions for events in the UK, Europe and Internationally.
The business was inspired from prior experience in the events industry and driven by my vision to create a focused logistics business that could go faster and further then others before. While our work was initially split between corporate and sporting events, we strategically shifted more towards sports following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the hospitality and events industry were shut down, the sports world was open – and had the backing of governments across the globe to ensure competitions, matches and events continued, albeit without spectators initially. This gave us a clear lifeline for what would have been a challenging year, and we worked hard to really cement our brand in the sector. For example, we played a pivotal role in ensuring Wimbledon 2021 went ahead with the establishment of a dedicated ‘Wimbledon hotel’. This simply didn’t happen in corporate events.
Therefore, while we do still work with some corporate brands, sporting events currently represent 80% of our business.
How has the events industry evolved in recent years and how is your company adapting / staying ahead?
The Sports industry has evolved in new directions across the years, and this is largely driven by new sporting interests, like Luke Littler’s success increasing engagement in Darts or the introduction of newer sports, like Padel, gaining popularity at pace.
In fact, the success of certain individuals play an influential role in sporting trends, with a prime example being Chinese snooker player, Zhao Xintong. As the first international player to win the World Snooker Championships, Zhao has put the sport on the global map and it is set to take off around the world.
Another key example is the introduction of squash as an Olympic sport in 2028.
CSE stays ahead by adapting to these changes, supporting emerging sports, while helping to scale global events. Furthermore, we continuously monitor market trends to stay one step ahead while ensuring we can support both industry bodies and athletes alike.
Technology is playing an increasingly central role in the events industry, how is your company currently incorporating tech in events and are there areas you’re looking to innovate further?
While CSE has integrated the use of technologies to aid operations and delivery, we are still very much a ‘hands on’ business and pride ourselves on building valuable partnerships with sporting bodies, athletes and suppliers.
However, it is clear that technology is playing an increasing role in the sports industry – particularly when it comes to both spectator and venue experience. From adapted booking and interactive tools through to influencers boosting spectator engagement, the use of technology is only going to grow and evolve in the global sports sector in the months and years to come.
What are some logistical or creative challenges faced in event execution and how were they overcome?
Obviously the COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges – particularly in ensuring we adhered to the latest guidelines and regulations while keeping everyone safe and well. Aside from this, one of the main challenges we face on a consistent basis is ensuring we can deliver the best service possible when operating overseas in different countries.
From Kazakhstan to Cairo, our team works hard to respect and align with the local market, rather than leading with a ‘British’ approach. This means adhering to local laws and procedures while integrating with and respecting local cultures. Our capability to do this while ensuring we continue to deliver an unrivalled service has not only enabled us to build strong relationships around the world but is also what truly sets us aside from industry competitors.
Looking ahead, are there any upcoming projects / events that are shaping your vision / goals for the future of events?
The CSE team and I are incredibly excited about the coming years, having secured partnerships with a number of exciting events. These include the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the World Table Tennis Championships in London, followed by the 2027 Tour de France. The latter is particularly exciting as it will mark the first time that both men’s and women’s events start in the UK.
Ultimately the future of sports looks exciting here in the UK and we at CSE are looking forward to playing a key role.
What are your key goals / priorities for 2025 and beyond?
We have a number of key goals and objectives that we are working towards during 2025 and beyond, which comprise of:
- To develop relationships with international sporting federations beyond the UK market, such as athletics, gymnastics and swimming.
- Expanding our operations worldwide to increase international market share
- Effectively handle the logistics for major events across the globe
