Press Release: Major business award

The chief executive of the multi-purpose Ricoh Arena in Coventry has won a major business award.
Daniel Gidney was officially named the Midlands Business Person of the Year 2011 at the NEC Hilton Metropole by a panel of judges.
He was presented with the annual prize following a string of successes which has seen the Ricoh Arena’s business expand greatly and culminated in it winning the right to host football games in the 2012 Olympic Games and pool games in the Rugby World Cup in 2015. 
Gidney, who has been at the Ricoh for four years, praised the efforts of his whole executive team at the Ricoh. 
He said: “I am very proud to fly the flag for Coventry. We have a small team which works extremely hard and has turned the Ricoh Arena into an internationally renowned venue in just five years which is a remarkable achievement.
“That would also not have been possible without all our sponsors and partners who have given us such fantastic support.
“While it was great to pick up the award – my aim now is for us to host the event next year!”
Gidney has overseen a major £3.7 million investment in the business in 2010 which has led to the creation of further conference and event halls to take the venue’s total space to 15,000 sq ft which includes a 650-seat arena with state-of-the-art AV.
The venue’s reputation among sporting organisers and concert promoters has also been enhanced by the Ricoh being chosen to host the FA Women’s Cup final and to kick off the Kings of Leon’s UK tour in May. 
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