Andrew Daniels – the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the redeveloped Adelaide Oval – has announced his intention to step down after a decade in the top job.
He will finish in the role on 31 May 2022, exactly 10 years after starting as the first full-time CEO of the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority, stepping down to pursue other opportunities and to enable the organisation to refresh.
In his tenure as CEO, Andrew has overseen some of the most memorable moments in Adelaide Oval history including:
– The construction and official opening of the redeveloped Adelaide Oval and Showdown XXVI between Adelaide and Port Adelaide;
– Concerts including The Rolling Stones, Adele, Guns ‘n Roses and AC/DC;
– A sell-out crowd to see Liverpool play Adelaide United;
– The 2015 Cricket World Cup when more than a billion people worldwide watched India take on Pakistan;
– The inaugural Day-Night Test match against New Zealand, followed by the first ever ‘pink ball’ Ashes Test;
– The 2016 A-League Grand Final, 2019 and 2021 AFLW Grand Finals;
– The development of the famous Adelaide Oval RoofClimb; and
– The opening in September 2020 of Oval Hotel, the first integrated stadium hotel in Australia.
Challenges have included steering the organisation through the major impacts which COVID has inflicted on the operations of the business and its effects on the Oval team.
Adelaide Oval SMA Chair Kevin Scarce paid tribute to Andrew’s leadership.
“It is not an overstatement to say that Andrew is a world-class sports and major events administrator and I think Adelaide Oval and South Australia has been incredibly fortunate to have had someone of his calibre as CEO,” Kevin said.
“He has led this organisation through some of its biggest highs and also helped it navigate its biggest challenges.
“The Board respects his decision to step down and his reasons for doing so. We believe he has created an enduring legacy.”
Andrew joined Adelaide Oval following his time as CEO of the Motor Accident Commission. Prior to that he was Chief Executive of the South Australian Motor Sport Board, responsible for the Clipsal 500, and also held the roles of General Manager of Australian Major Events, Commercial Manager of the South Australian Tourism Commission and Deputy Chief Executive of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix Board.
After finishing as CEO next May, Andrew intends to focus on his various Board roles. He is currently the Chair of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and a Director of Novita Services.
“It has been an honour and an amazing journey, but now is the right time for me to hand over to someone new,” Andrew said.
“Adelaide Oval has been at the heart of South Australia for 150 years and I am proud to have been one of its many custodians. However, it’s important to ensure we continue to inject new energy and ideas to keep Adelaide Oval ahead in what is a very competitive environment.
“I have been fortunate to have had a supportive Board and to lead a passionate and dedicated team who are, quite simply, the best at what they do.
“I’m looking forward to what is promising to be an exciting next six months and to helping the next CEO to continue the Adelaide Oval success story.”
The Adelaide Oval SMA Board has commenced the process for a global search for the organisation’s next CEO to lead it into its second decade.
Media inquiries : Phil Martin, Michels Warren PR on 0418 817 876
