Ex-Diageo boss to head sports firm

Ex-Diageo CEO Paul Walsh has been appointed chairman of Chime Communications, owner of the sports marketing company run by Lord Coe.

Ex-Diageo chief executive Paul Walsh left Diageo in 2013 (Photo: Diageo)

He replaces former cabinet minister Lord Davies, who stepped down as chairman following the £374m acquisition of Chime last year by US private equity firms Providence and WPP.

Walsh’s past experience with Chime setting up sports sponsorship deals with Diageo helped with his decision to join, he said.

Walsh has taken on various board roles since leaving Diageo in 2012. He is also the chairman of Compass Group, the global catering company and Avanti Communications Group.

Chime’s sports division, CSM, is chaired by Lord Coe, the chairman of world athletics body the IAAF.

Christopher Satterthwaite, the chief executive of Chime Communications, said: “We are delighted that Paul will be joining Chime.

“He has unrivalled experience in growing businesses on an international scale and we will benefit greatly from this and his understanding of how sport, entertainment and communications can transform brands.”

Walsh said: “I have a long standing relationship with Chime and have experienced first-hand the quality of work consistently delivered throughout the Group. I am particularly pleased to be joining at such an exciting time and believe

“Chime has a unique opportunity to accelerate its growth and develop its market leading position across multiple geographies.”