He will have responsibility for the day-to-day stadium operations, including the facilities management.
Charles will work closely with managing director David Clayton and will have a significant role to play in redevelopment of Leicester Tigers’ stadium at Welford Road, starting with phase one this summer when work begins on the construction of a new North Stand which will seat 10,000 supporters. The new stand will also have a 1,000-seat function suite for matchdays and for conference and banqueting events. The stadium will eventually boast a 30,000 capacity when fully completed.
Charles was previously director of operations at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. He was involved from the start with the development of the 32,500-seater stadium which opened in August 2005 and is home to Coventry City FC.
He is very experienced in stadium design and how new stadiums operate having also spent 10 years at Leicester City FC. He was part of the design team for the Walkers Stadium.
Charles said: “The opportunity to become part of the Leicester Tigers team to develop the new-look stadium is an exciting challenge and I am looking forward to playing a part in making the stadium a real landmark building.
“This is an important time in Leicester Tigers' history to shape things for the future and create a world-class stadium for a world-class club while, at the same time, developing the club’s off-the-field revenues.’’
Tigers managing director David Clayton said: “We are delighted that Charles has joined us. He brings with him considerable experience of the planning, development, construction and operation of major sporting stadia at Coventry and Leicester City.
“We are at the beginning of a new era in the history of Leicester Tigers and I am sure Charles will help us in our ambitions to deliver a world-class stadium.”
