'Venue Vendor' - Chris Morris of Twickenham Stadium

Venue Review of 'Venue Vendor' - Chris Morris of Twickenham Stadium

Meet Chris Morris the managing director of Twickenham Experience

My name is Chris Morris.
I am managing director of Twickenham Experience.
I’ve worked here since April 2008.
They call me Mozza.
I’ve been in the events industry since I started at Jack Morton Worldwide, a marketing agency, in 1998.
My first event was leading the new business team that secured the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002. In an ops role, my first event was The Ryder Cup at The K Club in Ireland in 2006 – a real baptism of fire!
I’ll always remember the day I joined Twickenham. It was a boyhood dream realised – although in my dreams, I was on the pitch.
The most valuable lesson I’ve learnt is that success is down to a team, not an individual.
People always comment on our new South Stand. It’s a great location: six miles from Heathrow and 20 minutes from central London. With 2,000 free parking spaces, and a brand new four-star Marriott hotel, it’s got everything an event planner needs.
I particularly like the Live Room for its versatility. With a 9m-high ceiling and retractable tiered seating for 450, it works for everything from product launches to formal dining.
You may be surprised to hear that on a major match day, we provide over 10,000 corporate hospitality four-course meals.
Recently we hosted the Emirates Airline London Sevens when we broke the world record for having the most superheroes together in one place at the same time – over 2,000 Batmen, Spidermen, Supermen and Incredible Hulks.
When I need inspiration it means I haven’t been talking to enough people, so I make sure I spend more time with my peers and colleagues to hear what they’ve been up to.
Later this year we will be starting to plan for the Rugby World Cup in 2015, which will form a central part of Britain’s ‘decade of sport’. I can’t wait!
In 10 years’ time I would like to be the chief executive of either a major sports or leisure venue or sports body… And be on the winning European Ryder Cup team.
My motto is ‘seek first to understand, then to be understood’ – with all due reverence to the great Dr Stephen Covey.

Twickenham Experience, Rugby Road, Twickenham, Middlesex TW1 1DG. Tel: 0871 222 2120, squaremeal.co.uk/twickexp