London 2012 director of commercial negotiations quits to join Tottenham

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

November 9 – London 2012’s director of commercial negotiations, Charlie Wijeratna, praised for helping raise nearly £700 million ($1.1 billion) towards the cost of staging the Olympics and Paralympics, is leaving to join Tottenham Hotspur, it was announced today.

He is due to join the Board of the Premier League club in December as Executive Director with commercial responsibilities.

Wijeratna was part of the original London 2012 bid company, where he helped steer the bid as its commercial and legal director, managing all the commercial and legal aspects of the bid from set-up through the transition to London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG).

Wijeratna, a former Oxford University rugby player and athlete with Thames Valley Harriers, previously worked in sports television for Sky TV, as a lawyer with Clifford Chance and as an investment banker with Kleinwort Benson.

He has been widely credited with being the driving force behind the successful London 2012 sponsorship programme which has managed to attract blue-chip sponsors like Adidas, BMW, BP, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury’s despite the difficult economic situation.

The programme is expected to pass the £700 million ($1.1 billion) barrier in the near future, contributing significantly towards the overall £2.5 billion ($4 billion) cost of staging the Olympics and Paralympics.

Tottenham are undergoing a revival under manager Harry Redknapp and this season are taking part for the first time in the Champions League.

They went top of their group last week when they beat defending champions Inter Milan 3-1 at White Hart Lane.

Wijeratna, a Queens Park Rangers supporter, will join former London 2012 chief executive Sir Keith Mills on the Tottenham Board.

Daniel Levy, the chairman of Tottenham said: “We are delighted that Charlie has agreed to join the Club.

“He brings with him a proven track record in delivering commercial deals and will be a great addition to the board.”

Wijeratna joins the club at a sensitive time as they are one of the leading bidders for to take over the £550 million ($884 million) Olympic Stadium after London 2012.

They filed a surprise joint bid with AEG last month only a few hours after they had been given planning permission for a £400 million ($643 million) redevelopment of White Hart Lane.

Controversially if their bid is successful they plan to scrap the running track – one of the key pledges London made when it campaigned for the Olympics.

Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734805436labto1734805436ofdlr1734805436owedi1734805436sni@y1734805436akcam1734805436.nacn1734805436ud1734805436