The former chairman of the ExCel London exhibition centre has joined the board of NEC Group.
Sir David Arculus has been appointed a non-executive director of the group which owns the NEC and Genting Arena in Solihull and the ICC and Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham city centre.
Sir David, who was educated at the private Bromsgrove School where he is now president of its foundation, was chairman of Clarion Events following its first private equity buyout in 2008.
He also worked as a producer at the BBC and was group managing director of publishing group Emap, large parts of which were bought out by German giant Bauer.
A former government advisor, he has held a range of non-executive roles including with Barclays Bank and oversaw O2's £18 billion sale to Telefonica during his tenure as chairman.
Also joining Sir David on the NEC Group's board as a non-executive director is Mike Rusbridge, the former chief executive of Reed Exhibitions.
Mr Rusbridge stepped down from the helm at the company in December, having spearheaded more than 150 acquisitions.
The company now organises 500 events in 43 countries across 43 industry sectors, with over seven million participants.
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The NEC Group was sold by Birmingham City Council and is currently on the hunt for and, for the first time in their history, the ICC and NEC.
NEC Group chief executive Paul Thandi said: "These appointments bring a wealth of experience to our business during a significant period of growth as we maximise group opportunities and collaborate on regional development plans with national impact."