archive 2003

 

Barbara Cassani Appointed To Lead London 2012 Olympic Bid

 

Barbara Cassani has been appointed as the Chair of the bid to bring the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympics to London. 

 

The appointment was made jointly by the three key partners in the bid: the Government, the Mayor of London and the British Olympic Association.

 

Announcing the appointment, Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said:

 

"Barbara Cassani has the skills, business acumen and drive to give London the best chance to bring the Games to the UK. We are confident that she will forge a team capable of beating off the stiff competition from our rivals.  The prize is worth chasing.  Barbara Cassani is the woman to lead the chase."

 

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone said:

 

"I am extremely impressed with Barbara Cassani and I believe she will be an excellent chair of the London Olympic bid.  Her proven business acumen will give London an excellent chance of hosting the 2012 Olympics."

 

International Olympic Committee member and Chairman of the British Olympic Association, Craig Reedie said:

 

"Barbara Cassani is passionate about sport and passionate about London.  Her total commitment will greatly enthuse the whole team in the most exciting sports project in the world.

 

Accepting the appointment, Barbara Cassani said:

 

"I have taken this job because I know we can win.  London is a world class city.  We can deliver a world class Games.

 

"The children of Britain need to get into the pool and onto the track because in 2012 they'll be competing for gold - in London.

 

"Now I want to put together a team of all the talents to push the bid.  I'm talking to Charles Allen, Chair of the hugely successful Commonwealth Games last year about how to do this."

 

 

1 Interim media arrangements have been put in place for Barbara Cassani.  For all media enquiries, please contact Nick Claydon, Mike Smith or Ed Williams at Brunswick on the number below.

 

2 Biographical notes for Barbara Cassani are below.

 

3 A list of requirements and objectives for the bid Chair is also below.

 

 

For further information, please contact Nick Claydon, Mike Smith or Ed Williams at Brunswick on 020 7404 5959.

 

 

Barbara Cassani was CEO of Go Fly Ltd until July 2002.  She created Go in 1997 and led it through a £110m buyout with 3i.  Go was subsequently sold to easyJet for £374m in May 2002.  She has just completed a book on her experiences.

 

 

1984 – 1987 Coopers & Lybrand
Management consultant, based in Washington DC and London

 

1987 – 1997 British Airways
87 – 92 Manager, integrating the acquisition of a US computer reservations business followed by sales and marketing roles

 

92 – 93 Part of the team which acquired Dan Air.  This involved managing the marketing of Dan Air's routes and reorganising cabin crews

 

93 - 97  General Manager, New York

 

97  Manager, "Operation Blue Sky".  Appointed by the then CEO, Bob Ayling to conduct a feasibility study into a low-cost airline

 

1997 – 2002  Go Fly Ltd
Chief Executive

 

 

Mount Holyoke College, USA
BA (Hons) International Relations (magna cum laude)

 

Princeton University
Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs MPA

 
BID CHAIR – ROLE AND OBJECTIVES