Champion event kicks off the countdown to UK Corporate Games 2024

The city was announced in September last year as the host of the 2024 edition of the Games – Europe’s largest multi-sport festival for businesses.

And last night (Tuesday, February 6) the build-up to this summer’s celebration of team spirit, tenacity and togetherness began in style with a launch event in the heart of Leeds.

More than 100 businesses representatives gathered for the launch, held at the Cloth Hall Court building on Quebec Street in the city centre.

They were welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Al Garthwaite, whose opening speech highlighted the special role that sport plays in city life.

Guests then heard from Games director Doug White, while presenting duties were handled by broadcaster Tanya Arnold.

Mr White also took part in a panel discussion alongside Sam Glenister-Batey (head of conferences at the University of Leeds), Lyndon Wood (business development director at fitness tech company Myzone), Karen McLaughlin (senior vice president at technology solutions provider Insight) and Charis Palmer-Smeaton (charity operations manager at the Brownlee Foundation).

The Games are held in a different city each year, with thousands of competitors from large numbers of businesses coming together to test their sporting mettle and enjoy a wide range of networking opportunities.

Leeds was chosen as this year’s host following a joint bid by Leeds City Council and the University of Leeds.

Running from July 25 to 28, the Games are expected to deliver a £2m boost for the local economy while also showcasing Leeds’s credentials as both a sporting and business heavyweight.

Participants from companies large and small will be able to compete in more than 20 sports, from badminton and basketball to tennis and ten-pin bowling.

The list of venues, meanwhile, includes the John Charles Centre for Sport, Leeds Dock and the Brownlee Centre.

Triathlete and double Olympic gold medallist Alistair Brownlee was announced in November as the official ambassador of the Games, with the Brownlee Foundation acting as the event’s charity partner.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, culture and education, said:

“Anticipation for the UK Corporate Games has been growing steadily in the months since we were confirmed as hosts and, following Tuesday’s launch, I’m sure more and more people will be signing up to take part.

“Leeds is not only a great place to do business, it is also – as shown by recent events such as the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series and the Westfield Health British Transplant Games – a city with a proud tradition of successfully staging major sporting occasions.

“We’re determined to use the expertise we have gained during previous big events to produce a sustainability strategy that will make these the most eco-friendly Games yet.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone involved to Leeds for what promises to be a really exciting and memorable few days. Roll on the summer!”

Doug White, director of the UK Corporate Games, said:

“We are delighted to have launched the UK Corporate Games 2024 in the heart of Leeds, at the impressive Cloth Hall Court.

“It was fantastic to welcome over 100 representatives to find out more about the benefits of getting involved in the Games and the economic impact they will bring to the city.

“We will welcome thousands of participants from over 100 companies to the city and look forward to making it a memorable event.”

A string of local organisations are already committed to this year’s Games, including AMT Auto, Burberry, Luxury Flooring, Pure Retirement, Arla Foods, New Balance Teamsports, John Lewis & Partners, Nexus Leeds and Hatch.

For further details about the event and its entry process, e-mail leeds@corporategamesuk.com, ring 01733 838444 or visit www.corporategamesuk.com.

ENDS