Freemans Event Partners (FEP) has appointed a new chief operating officer to support domestic and international growth.

The Gloucester-based multi-service event and venue solutions provider has appointed Simon Hanna in the role.

The appointment will facilitate the operational delivery of a five-year strategic plan, overseeing the implementation of a sustainability roadmap, further enhancing the customer experience through innovative hospitality, food and beverage and payment solutions at events and venues both in the UK and overseas.

Simon joins FEP following previous roles in multi-site, regional and national level operations, including his most recent position as regional operations director of Food & Beverage with The Jockey Club Cheltenham and South West.

During that time, he led the development and implementation of the Jockey Club Net Zero by 2027 sustainability strategy with his team.

Alongside his extensive operational experience in large-scale food and beverage events and developing multi restaurant, bar and hospitality concepts, he earlier forged his career within the independent, branded, country house and corporate hotels sector.

Simon Hanna said: "I am looking forward to bringing my wealth of operational experiences to the team at Freemans Event Partners and building upon what is already a great operational business and further delighting our customers and clients alike in the future."

Stephen Freeman, chief executive officer, Freemans Event Partners, said: "This is an incredibly exciting time for our business and we are thrilled to welcome Simon.

"We are looking forward to benefiting from Simon's experience and expertise, as we look to take the business forward both in the UK and internationally.

"With the summer of sport in full swing, 2023 is already looking like a bumper year for us and this new appointment underlines our strategy of driving growth through partnerships with best-in-class venues and partners across the world."

FEP currently delivers more than 400 events each year, reaching more than 15 million people, at venues including Lord's Cricket Ground, Silverstone Circuit, Twickenham Stadium and many more.

The business is targeting new markets and has been laying the foundations for international expansion for some time.