The IRONMAN Group Promotes Michelle Pepper to Managing Director of Oceania

July 31, 2024

- Pepper takes over Managing Director role from Geoff Meyer who is retiring - In her new role, Pepper will oversee and grow all aspects of the Oceania business unit for The IRONMAN Group, including 25 events

SYDNEY, Australia / TAMPA, Fla. (July 31 2024) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The IRONMAN Group is pleased to announce that Michelle Pepper has been promoted to the role of Managing Director for Oceania. Pepper is taking over the role from Geoff Meyer who has retired as of the end of July.

Pepper is a familiar face for the team in Oceania, having been with The IRONMAN Group for the last eight years, with an overall background of more than 13 years of experience in marketing and leadership roles in the events industry. She joined the company through the acquisition of Lagardere’s New Zealand operation. Pepper will transition from her role as Vice President, Marketing for the Asia-Pacific Region, having previously held the role of Head of Marketing for Oceania.

In her new role, Pepper will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Oceania business for The IRONMAN Group, leading the four Oceania offices, Melbourne, Sydney and Noosa in Australia and Auckland in New Zealand, and the more than 80 full-time employees. The Oceania region features 25 events across multiple sporting disciplines and brands, including running, trail running, and triathlon events as well as the IRONMAN^®, IRONMAN^® 70.3^®, and UTMB^® World Series brands and events in the region.

“Michelle is an accomplished leader who has an in-depth understanding of our athletes and a passion for elevating the overall customer experience during every step of the journey,” said Scott DeRue, Chief Executive Office for The IRONMAN Group. “Michelle has a clear and compelling strategic vision for the future of The IRONMAN Group in Oceania, and she is committed to partnering with the team to inspire, empower, and help everyone be their best self. Michelle loves to solve problems and has the courage to advocate for her team and the best course of action, which will be instrumental in helping us to imagine and create an exciting future in Oceania.”

“I’d like to sincerely thank our retiring Managing Director, Geoff Meyer who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to this team and The IRONMAN Group over many years. I will be forever grateful for his leadership. We are a better organization today because of Geoff and all he has contributed to our community, and we wish him well in retirement,” said DeRue.

Geoff Meyer joined The IRONMAN Group in 2012 with the acquisition of USM Events. After five years as Managing Director of the Asia-Pacific Region, Meyer relocated to Singapore to create a standalone Asian Division for The IRONMAN Group. During his time in Asia, Meyer helped to build a full business unit with operations, sales, marketing, and finance functions, among other areas, and facilitated major acquisitions that included the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, and Sunrise Events Philippines, as well as expansion of the IRONMAN brand into Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and India, before returning to lead the Oceania team once again in 2021.

Oceania plays a key role in the overall business of The IRONMAN Group and this year will host both the VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship triathlon in Taupō, New Zealand and the World Triathlon Multisport Championships Townsville in Australia. The Oceania team also organises events including the world’s largest fun run, the City2Surf in Sydney, the Garmin Noosa Triathlon, the NZ Sotheby’s International Realty Queenstown Marathon and three UTMB World Series events.

Pepper will continue to be based out of the Auckland, New Zealand office.

For more information on The IRONMAN Group and global event series, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group. Media related inquiries may be directed to press@ironman.com.

Those seeking career opportunities at IRONMAN can visit here.

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About The IRONMAN Group

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN^® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Running Series, IRONKIDS^®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf^®, UTMB^® World Series trail-running events including the Canyons Endurance Runs™ by UTMB^®, Tarawera Ultra-Trail™ by UTMB^® and Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB^®, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic^®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world, providing participants the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz^® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN^® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE^® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business, and Orkila Capital, a growth equity firm focused on building great brands. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.

About Advance

Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 14,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.