Martin Ingham has been confirmed as the new permanent chief executive of Nottingham’s National Ice Centre and Motorpoint Arena.
Ingham has been serving in the role on an interim basis since Geoff Huckstep announced his retirement last May following 15 years as head of the sport and entertainment venue.
Ingham has worked in a senior management role at the venue since 2002, with responsibilities that include finance, ticketing and working closely with promoters to book arena events. He was previously deputy chief executive and finance director.
Exciting projects
“I have loved working at this superb venue from day one,” Ingham said. “We have numerous exciting projects already in the pipeline and the whole team are looking forward to delivering these for the benefit of all our customers, the city of Nottingham and the East Midlands region as a whole.”
The National Ice Centre became the UK’s first twin Olympic-sized ice rink when it opened in 2000. It is the home venue of the Elite Ice Hockey League team the Nottingham Panthers.
The venue is made up of two rinks, one of which is also the 10,000-capacity Motorpoint Arena that hosts sports, concert and other entertainment shows.
Ingham, who is chairman of the National Arenas Association, was instrumental in setting up the venue’s National Merchandise concession that operates in various UK venues.
“The combination of delivering both sport, from social activity to competitive and Olympic level athletes, and world class entertainment, including concerts, comedy, sport and family shows, is unique and utterly compelling to work within,” Ingham said.
“When you add in a team of staff that display such extraordinary skills, dedication, tenacity, creativity and humour that the complexities of our industry demand, then it is an even greater privilege to be appointed to the role.”