Our distinctive high standard of product and service delivery has become revered and sought after, and is known as the ‘Arena Standard’, resulting in long-standing relationships with some of the most prestigious events in the world. From the iconic to the intimate, the Arena Standard is never compromised.
We have grown from humble beginnings in the UK to a now global team of 1,224 employees across 18 depots across the globe. Our long history of over 250 years is marked by some key milestones.
250 years of experience in the events industry. We pride ourselves in our people, the foundation of our success.
Dedicated to delivering high quality elegant products, and a premium and personal client experience.
The health and safety of our employees and clients, is paramount.
Innovative and creative solutions that exceed our customers’ expectations.
We take a tailored approach to each project, providing bespoke solutions that fit the needs of the customer. We are determined to find the best solution to our client’s challenges.
Designing and delivering global events on time, every time. Our clients feel safe knowing they can rely on Arena Group, entrusting their live event to our in-house experts.
A diverse, extensive product range and integrated service offering around the world.
Putting our customers first, and providing value for money solutions.
Our Vision is to be the global leader for large scale temporary infrastructure & integrated event solutions.
Our Mission is to make a permanent impact on temporary space.
We pride ourselves on delivering extraordinary and memorable live event experiences, safely, on time and within budget.
Our Values summarise everything we stand for, in everything we do: excellence, collaboration, integrity, accountability, diversity & empathy.
We deliver an exceptionally high standard of product & service to our customers. Maintaining industry standard accreditations guarantees a high level of quality, and health & safety standards for our stakeholders. We hold the following accreditations:
Arena Group is a responsible and ethical company that acts with integrity towards its partners, ensuring quality performance in line with our values and those of our customers, ensuring that sustainability and social responsibility are at the heart of our operations and services. We are certified to the ISO20121 (Event Sustainability) management systems. We are committed to working in line with seven of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), integrating them into our policy and working papers.
Arena is committed to the following areas across our business practice and delivery: Business and product innovation, protecting the environment, resource and circular economy, and a positive contribution to the communities close to our operations and ensuring transparent communication to all our stakeholders
In 2023 all UK temporary power and plant was switched to responsibly sourced HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) reducing emissions by up to 90%. Additionally, we introduced 23 electric forklifts in our fixed sites which will reduce our carbon emissions by 138 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. This equates to 138 passengers on a return flight from Paris to New York, or someone driving from London to Edinburgh 1,380 times.
We offer a wide range of events products and services. Our specialisms are seating, scaffolding, structures, ice rinks, furniture hire, interiors, fencing and barriers, cold rooms, bar hire, catering equipment hire, exhibition services, graphics and signage and flooring. You benefit from efficiency and convenience. Dealing with one trusted provider for all of your needs.
We operate a risk free logistics chain. We own 100% of the equipment being provided for the lion share of our events. We control the storage, repair & maintenance so quality is guaranteed. With a global reach of 18 depots across 8 countries, our kit is never far from our customers venues, a benefit for our customers but also a positive environmental outcome with a reduced carbon footprint.
We have worked on complex projects for prestigious events since 1761. Over the years we have learnt a thing or two and love nothing more than sharing this experience with our partners. Our people are our livelihood, we boast long tenured employees and as a result we have unrivalled relationships with some of the most prestigious event organisers worldwide. Don’t take our word for it, take a look at our recent work.
We are fully committed to delivering the Arena Standard without compromise. Focusing on quality, health and safety, and innovation is what sets us apart.
“Their professionalism, efficiency and endless good humour was evident at all times during both the challenging year of planning and the mammoth build/breakdown period. I couldn’t ask for a better team to work with and I’m proud to have them as our partner.”
Louise Dixon Production Direction for Frieze Events Ltd
“Arena Americas products enable spectators at our major championships and Ryder Cup to enjoy the most memorable events in golf.”
David Charles PGA Senior Director of Championships
“I want to place on record our sincere thanks, on behalf of the AELTC and The Championships Department to the whole team at Arena. Once more the proverbial planned and unplanned kitchen sink has been thrown your way and without fail you have never not tried to help and in some cases have solved some AELTC issues, all of this has been hugely appreciated.”
Stephen Farrow Fever-Tree Championships Tournament Director
Paul was appointed CEO of Arena Middle East & Asia in 2009 and has more recently taken over as CEO of the recently de-listed Arena Events Group Ltd.
Paul brings a long history of working in events and a strong knowledge of the Middle East, having moved to Dubai in 1993 with BBDO (part of OMNICOM Group), working as an account director for global brands such as Pepsi, Emirates and General Motors. In 2004 Paul set up his own sports marketing business, focusing on F1 and other motor sports. In 2008 he became a director of Harlequin Marquees, becoming the CEO and a shareholder a year later, which was then acquired by Arena Group and became part of Arena Middle East & Asia
Simon joined Arena in 2014 as part of a small Group finance team based in London. After the IPO of the business in 2017 he occupied financial leadership roles across the UK, Middle East and Asia and was appointed Group CFO following the de-listing of the company in 2022.
Simon is a chartered accountant, having qualified with KPMG in London. His earlier career saw him work across a range of sectors as an auditor before moving to KPMG’s Corporate Finance function, and then into investment banking prior to joining Arena.
Jon was appointed Group COO in December 2022, having previously served as CEO of the Americas division.
Jon has over 22 years of special events experience having originally joined Arena’s predecessor company in 2009. He has managed Arena’s military Division served as the North East Structures General Manager and pioneered Arena Americas’ entry into major golf events. From 2006 to 2009 Jon was a senior manager at Oaks Development and previously held senior roles at United Rentals based in North Carolina managing the Special Events Division and overseeing broadcast power projects such as Super Bowls, The Masters and PGA Championships. Earlier in his career Jon was Marketing Manager Tours & Events at Warner Avalon, working with major international brands.
From 2003, Michael grew The Stuart Rental Company with his business partner, initiating a regional roll-up of six existing party rental companies in the San Francisco Bay area of California. He served as CEO of the company and helped build it into one of the top 25 event rental companies in the US until it was acquired by the Arena Group in 2018 when he assumed the role of President, Stuart Rentals. Prior to Stuart Rentals, Michael was a manager with KPMG Consulting’s Technology Strategy management consulting group, where he supervised and staffed projects for companies including Chevron, Boeing, Verizon, Brocade and Microsoft. Michael practiced law in Philadelphia from 1994 to 1998 before obtaining his MBA from the University of Chicago.
Our history dates back to 1761, when Sir Richard Edgington started a company to manufacture and sell tents, flags, ship ropes, and decorations for public events
Fast forward to 2000, under the ownership of Condover, the business becomes the premier temporary seating and structures business in the UK
Greg Lawless and Dermott Divilly buy Arena Structures and Arena Seating to form Arena Group
Growth continues with the company’s first overseas base following a 45 % investment in Harlequin Marquees in Dubai, UAE
We complete the acquisition of the remaining 55% of Harlequin in Dubai
February – MML Partners and Sports Investment Partners (SIP) take a significant stake in the Group, injecting additional equity to feed future growth. This investment provides the Group with the necessary financial resources to deliver over £30 million of products and services for the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games
June – We provide seating, temporary structures, and furniture for multiple events during the London Summer Olympics
April – We acquire Karl’s Events based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin – the Group’s first step in the USA
May – Soon after, we acquire Malaysia based tenting manufacturer, Asia Tents – the Group’s first permanent base in Asia
August – We acquire 51% of Ironmonger Marquees in Hong Kong – establishing our first depot in Hong Kong
2016 – We expand into scaffolding with the acquisition of RIM Scaffolding in the UK – a premier provider of event scaffolding in the UK and Asia
April – We further develop our seating and mass participation capabilities with the acquisition of Wernick Events
July – A landmark for the Group, we IPO on AIM on the London Stock Exchange, raising £60 million for future growth and expansion
February – We expand our furniture offering in the UK with the acquisition of GLD Productions Ltd
April – The Group announces its first Full Year results as a listed company, reporting £109.6 million revenue, and £10.6 million Adjusted EBITDA.
May – The UK division adds temporary cold rooms to its offering with the acquisition of Ice House Rentals Ltd
June – We expand into fencing and barriers with the acquisition of Events Solution Ltd in the UK
August – The Group raises £20 million through its first share Placing, since its IPO in July 2017, to fund acquisitions
September – We gain our first base on the US West Coast with the acquisition of California-based event rental company Stuart Rentals
October – The Middle East division adds exhibition services to its capabilities with the acquisition of Dubai-based company TGP.
December – We add temporary bar hire to our ever-expanding list of products & services with the acquisition of Bash Bars in the UK.
January – We announce that we have won a Tokyo Olympics 2020 seating contract and a temporary hospitality structure contract for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Tokyo
March – We welcome a new UK CEO, Chris Morris, and UK Finance Director, Andrew Lawson, to the team
Arena merges it’s UK & Europe and Middle East & Asia divisions to form Arena EMEA. Paul Berger is appointed CEO of the newly formed division.
April – Arena acquires a 50% stake in US event services business, Aztec Shaffer
October – Arena receives a significant offer to purchase the business from IHC and issues a 2.7 notice to the London Stock Exchange
February – With the support of Arena’s new shareholders, IHC and TasHeel, the business is removed from the London Stock Exchange, completing the legal process that began in October 2021
– Paul Berger is appointed Group Chief Executive Officer and Simon Gillott is appointed Group Chief Financial Officer
