Carly Gibbs Named GM of Olympia’s New International Convention Centre

Olympia Events, managed by Legends Global, has announced the promotion of Carly Gibbs to General Manager of Olympia’s new International Convention Centre (ICC).

The appointment comes during the launch year of Olympia’s ICC, a major milestone within Olympia’s £1.3 billion ($1.7 billion) transformation and one of the most significant venue redevelopment projects in London.

“The new ICC will deliver state-of-the-art convention and event facilities, designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s global events industry. Gibbs’ appointment will be pivotal in shaping the venue’s day-to-day operational excellence while delivering premium, seamless experiences across every customer touchpoint,” according to today’s press announcement.

In addition to leading the ICC, Gibbs will continue to drive the evolution of Olympia Events’ wider guest experience program, ensuring consistency across the heritage spaces, ICC and The Addison (see below).

Olympia’s new venues and public spaces will continue to open in phases throughout 2026, following the launch of Idalia at Pillar Hall on 30 March, with the full transformation culminating in the opening of the British Airways Theatre in 2027.

With more than 20 years of experience in event management across the private and not-for-profit sectors, Gibbs brings extensive expertise spanning strategy, operations, customer experience, brand management and community engagement. Her previous roles include senior positions at Chiswick Park Estate Management, Mitie, Comic Relief and Cancer Research UK.

Gibbs joined Olympia Events in June 2025 as Head of Customer Experience, where she was responsible for designing and implementing the venue’s guest experience framework and customer journey strategy, in harmony with the wider Olympia destination.

Having transitioned into her new role earlier this year, Gibbs will now lead the operational mobilization, launch and customer experience strategy of London’s newest convention centre. Her leadership will be central to establishing the ICC as a market-leading venue, setting new standards for organizers, delegates and visitors alike.

Alongside the launch of the ICC, the redevelopment of Olympia will introduce The Addison premium lounge, operated by Olympia Events in partnership with Legends Global, as well as a 3,800-capacity state-of-the-art, purpose-built live music and events venue located above the existing west exhibition hall in Olympia, run by AEG Presents.

See: AEG Presents UK Unveils Naming Rights Partner For Music Venue At Olympia London

Comments:

Alex Lewis, COO of Olympia Events: “Carly’s promotion reflects both her exceptional leadership and the critical role customer experience will play in shaping Olympia’s future. Since joining Olympia Events, she has been instrumental in developing a people-first framework that will define how organisers, exhibitors and visitors experience our venues. As we continue the launch of London’s newest ICC as part of Olympia’s wider transformation, Carly’s experience and expertise make her exceptionally well placed to lead this next chapter.”

Carly Gibbs, General Manager of Olympia’s new International Convention Centre: “This general manager role presents a rare opportunity to define the service standards and visitor experience for a completely new venue, while leading the delivery of a people-first approach. Olympia’s transformation is centred on premium experiences, and I’m excited to bring my experience managing multiple teams and overseeing diverse customer journeys to create a modern, innovative venue that redefines what a convention centre can be.”

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_Originally reported by [Pollstar](https://news.pollstar.com/2026/05/20/olympia-events-promotes-carly-gibbs-to-gm-of-new-convention-centre/)._