Games deputy chair to address awards dinner
A key figure in delivering the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is set to address the Solihull Chamber of Commerce 's annual dinner and awards next month.
Professor Geoff Thompson, deputy chair of the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee, will deliver a keynote at the dinner, which takes place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Friday 7 October.
The awards dinner is sponsored by Solihull College and University Centre, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and the host venue.
Professor Thompson (pictured) has a 35-year track record in the social and human development of young people and communities.
As a five-time world karate champion and experienced sports administrator and politician, he has a broad skill set that has helped advise, develop and deliver social and human project and programme initiatives across the world.
Professor Thompson has also undertaken a number of public and private sector appointments.
He is the founder and chair of the Youth Charter, a UK-based international charity which uses the ethics of sport, arts, cultural and digital activities to tackle the problems of educational non-attainment, health inequality, anti-social behaviour and crime in some of the most troubled parts of the world.
Other roles include board member of the London Legacy Development Corporation, advisory board member of the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, USA, advisor to the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation, chair of the operational board of the Professional Footballers ' Association and chair of the London Youth Games.
Professor Thompson said: “The social, cultural and economic potential to the city and beyond as a result of the successful and memorable Commonwealth Games provides a legacy win-win-win for the young people and communities of the region. ”