Keith Prowse

Keith Prowse is a corporate hospitality provider based in the United Kingdom, specialising in sporting, cultural and bespoke events. Operating as part of the Sport, Leisure and Hospitality Division of Compass Group (who provide catering facilities), the company operates at numerous prestigious venues for many of the world's most iconic sporting and cultural events including Cirque du Soleil, Chelsea Flower Show and Wimbledon.

History

Keith Prowse was formed by Robert Keith and William Prowse, musical instrument makers, music sellers and publishers in London in the 1780s, a period in which the London theatre scene was booming. The first reference to selling theatre tickets appeared in an article published in 1786 in the Morning Chronicle, referring to “The New System of Ticket Agents”. In 1815, there was specific mention of Keith Prowse with relation to the ticketing industryFact|date=August 2008. In 1886, the company first represented Royal Ascot, and in 1924, they first represented the Wimbledon Championships. In 1960, Peter Cadbury borrowed £75,000 from his father to buy the Keith Prowse ticket agency, which went public in 1960, and later became a subsidiary of Westward. In 1969, EMI bought Keith Prowse Music Publishing and Central Songs. In 1981, the company opened its first office outside the UK in New York and a further office was established in Dublin in 1982. Today there are 36 offices throughout the world. In 1982, the company was officially appointed by the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. In October 1994, the company was acquired by Seatem Group Limited. In March 2002, Wembley plc (former owner of Wembley Stadium) sold Keith Prowse to a management buyout for £5.5million ($7.8m/EUR8.9m). In 2004, Compass Group Plc acquired the Keith Prowse corporate hospitality business for £20m.

External links

* [http://www.keithprowse.co.uk Official web site]
* [http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/145358/wembley-plc-sells-hospitality-business Wembley plc sells hospitality business (Sportbusiness.com)]
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2002/dec/14/careers.jobsandmoney?commentpage=1 Management buy out (Guardian.co.uk)]