Think London appoints Director for 2012 Games

Sep 7, 2006

Dineen to champion London’s 2012 foreign direct investment strategy & implementation

Think London, London’s foreign direct investment agency, this month welcomes Brendan Dineen to the newly-created role of Director, 2012 Games for Think London.

“The 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games present us with a tremendous opportunity to promote London internationally and to attract companies to London creating new investment and new jobs. Our aim is to ensure that these companies remain in the UK long after the Games have ended, and will therefore make a lasting contribution in terms of job creation, bringing economic benefit to London and the UK as a whole”, said Michael Charlton, Think London’s Chief Executive.

Think London has developed strong working relations with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) to ensure London’s foreign direct investment (FDI) strategy for the 2012 Games is successfully developed and implemented. This process includes collaboration with previous and future Host Cities.

“The role of Director, 2012 Games for Think London, has been created to ensure London maximises the economic opportunities generated by the Games,” continued Charlton. “We are confident that Brendan’s international marketing, strategy and management experience will make the Think London Investment 2012 programme a benchmark for future Olympic Host Cities.”

On secondment for two years, Dineen will report directly to Michael Charlton, developing Think London’s Investment 2012 strategy by capitalising on the learnings of past Host Cities. He will develop and oversee implementation of the programme to use the Games as a vehicle for promoting London internationally as the world’s leading global city and take the lead on associated service development and delivery.

“This role poses a fascinating challenge, as the ultimate success of the initiative will be the generation of more investment for London, sustainable beyond 2012”, said Dineen. “I accepted the challenge because it will allow me to apply my skills and experience to make a contribution to London and the UK. At the same time, it will broaden my own frame of reference and will expose me to new and exciting challenges.”

Dineen’s additional responsibilities at Think London will include introducing international companies to Olympics-related business opportunities; capitalising on the global press interest in the Games to ensure positive exposure for London’s wider brand messaging; ensuring the opportunities for enhancing FDI into London are built into the legacy plans and collaborating with other partners to ensure London uses the Beijing Games in 2008 to raise its profile in China. He will also provide strategic direction for Think London as a member of the leadership team and contribute to business planning in support of Think London’s mission to ensure that London retains its position as the number one destination for FDI in Europe.

London ranks as Europe’s number one destination for FDI according to the Ernst & Young European Investment Monitor. London now attracts over 5.7% of all FDI into Europe, which represents the highest share for any European city.