John Langford 

Chief Operating Officer, AEG Europe 

John Langford is Chief Operating Officer of AEG Europe – the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company.  John is responsible for AEG’s arena operations across the region – a role which covers multiple countries and everything from content programming, to commercial, marketing, ticketing, facility management and event operations. He joined AEG in November 2016 as Vice President and General Manager of The O2 and has been responsible for the continued growth and success of the world's number one music and entertainment venue, which in 2017 celebrated its 10th anniversary and in 2018 saw the opening of ICON Outlet, a premium shopping outlet. Prior to joining The O2, John was Director of Live Entertainment for the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow. John holds various industry-wide roles, including recent Presidency of the European Arenas Association and Chair of LIVE Green - the UK Live Music trade association focused on environmental sustainability. Born and raised in South Africa, John has an undergraduate Bachelor’s degree in Business from WITS University in Johannesburg, an MBA in Strategic Marketing from the University of Hull and a Post Graduate Certificate in Business and Climate Change from Cambridge University.  Before moving to the UK in 2013, John worked for eight years as the Chief Operating Officer at BIG Concerts, South Africa’s premier concert promoter. Prior to this, John worked in radio management at the South African Broadcasting Corporation.