Stadium signs Korea safety partnership deal

A Coventry-based events specialist is expanding its international reach through a new agreement to share expertise on safety and crowd management.

Stadium has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Korea Sports Safety Foundation (KSSF), a national organisation focused on improving safety standards across sport and major events in South Korea. 

The agreement will see the firm provide training and knowledge-sharing over the next three years.

Building on a partnership first established in 2015, the MoU was formalised during a six-day visit to Coventry by a South Korean delegation.

During the programme, delegates took part in meetings, workshops and site visits focused on best practice in event safety, security and crowd management.

The visit included a civic welcome from the Lord Mayor of Coventry, councillor Rachel Lancaster, followed by a tour of the Council House and a formal signing at St Mary’s Guildhall, one of the city’s most historic buildings.

The following day, delegates attended a behind-the-scenes tour of Coventry Building Society Arena ahead of matchday, providing insight into stadium safety operations and the planning and coordination required to deliver safe, large-scale events.

Stadium director Lorraine Baillie said: “Our partnership with KSSF has been a fruitful, long-standing relationship that we are delighted to be continuing.

“We were really pleased to welcome the South Korean delegation to Coventry to rekindle that partnership and continue to share best practice with them over the next three years.”

David McAtamney, founder and executive chairman of Stadium, added: “The signing of this MoU reflects the strength of our long-term relationship with the Korea Sports Safety Foundation.

“It was fantastic to welcome the delegation to our home city of Coventry and showcase both our work and everything that makes this city a great destination for events.

“The UK is recognised as a global leader in event safety, and this programme allows us to continue to share best practice with colleagues in South Korea, including the lessons learned from major incidents to support that ongoing development.

“We would like to thank the Sports in Coventry partnership for their support in creating an excellent programme for the delegates that will equip them with the knowledge and insight to take back to Korea and support the continued development of event safety standards.”

Supported by the Sports in Coventry partnership, the visit also highlighted the city’s credentials as a destination for major events.

The Lord Mayor, councillor Rachel Lancaster, added: “Coventry has been proud to host many major events, from the 2012 Olympics and the Lionesses, to incredible concerts featuring stars such as Take That, Pink and Bon Jovi, and we are also a city that is known for pioneering new ways of working and technology.

“It was a pleasure to meet the South Korean delegation and to share some of that knowledge and expertise, and help their vital work to keep people safe, as well as show them some of our city’s amazing history.

“It is wonderful to see work like this where countries come together and build links that support not only the worlds of business and industry but also international friendship and understanding.”

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