New RealNZ CEO made CNZM in 2024 New Year Honours

RealNZ's new Chief Executive has been named a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2024 New Year Honours.

Before moving to Queenstown this week to take up his new job, Mr Beeche has been Chief Executive Officer of the FIFA Women’s World Cup (FIFA WWC) Australia and New Zealand 2023, leading teams from both New Zealand and Australia to deliver the event.

Mr Beeche served as CEO for the successful FIFA Under-20 World Cup tournament in New Zealand in 2015.

He led delivery of the 2023 FIFA WWC, navigating the Trans-Tasman model and the added complexity of COVID-19, to deliver a tournament which broke multiple records.

The tournament attendance totalled 1,978,274 spectators across 64 matches, beating the attendance of the last World Cup hosted by France (which attracted 1,131,312 spectators across 52 matches).

He ensured the benefits of the tournament were shared across New Zealand, with the four host cities of Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin and seven-base camps to host the teams in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, allowing regional spread and national engagement opportunities for New Zealanders.

The pricing model for the tournament ensured New Zealanders, particularly families, were able to attend while also promoting maximum opportunities to attend matches.

Mr Beeche was CEO of Triathlon New Zealand from 2016 to 2021, developing a participation and High-Performance Programme with a range of commercial partnerships enabling a raised profile and participation for the sport.