BRISBANE, Australia — Harvey Lister, president and CEO for the Asia Pacific and Middle East region, is calling time on a career in live entertainment that clocks in at more than a half century.

Lister will continue to support the company over the next 12 months in a senior advisor role, according to a statement issued this week by Legends Global, a role that sees him support the transition of the business and focus on several “major pipeline projects.”

With his decision, Lister frees up precious time to dedicate to his wife Margie, who has been battling Parkinson’s disease. Lister’s official departure date is June 30, 2027.

“The APAC region is performing strongly, delivering some of our best financial and operational results we’ve ever achieved which reflects what we are seeing right across the Legends Global group,” explains Lister in a corporate release. “It’s a good time to transition out of the business when it is at the absolute top, with a strong pipeline of projects into the future. I’m looking forward to assisting the transition of the business into safe hands with Peter Loxton and our long-term leadership team.”

At the same time, long-serving APAC/MENA COO Peter Loxton leads the region, effective July 1, reporting to Legends Global CEO, Dan Levy. Meanwhile, Paul Sergeant continues to lead the group’s activities across the Middle East and Asian regions as executive VP.

“I am honoured to be leading Legends Global (APAC) from today,” writes Loxton in a LinkedIn post. “Harvey didn’t hire me, he took a chance and backed me into a joint venture in 2011, we won a project and when that finished, offered me a job. Since then we, and the APAC team, have grown the business, faced many challenges and made a difference. My best wishes to Harvey and his family and I look forward to his guidance into the bright future ahead.”

Lister has been saluted on several occasions in recognition of his service to the arts, tourism, sport and to the venue management and events industries. One of the finest came five years ago, when Lister was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen’s 2021 Birthday Honours list. Just last year, he was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame.

From its regional headquarters in Brisbane, Australia, Legends Global books, operates and manages a
network of venues that includes Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane; Kai Tak Sports Park Main Stadium, Hong Kong; and 50% ownership of VenuesLive, the operator of Optus Stadium, Perth, plus arenas, theaters and convention centers across the region.

Lister cut his teeth as a store announcer at retailer Myer before a pivot into PR for two shopping centers. During a stint with 4IP radio, he created the Queensland Rock Music Awards. Then, in 1975, Lister launched a concert and event management business, working closely with promoters to tour live bands such as Sherbet, Skyhooks and AC/DC’s first ever tour.  

Years later, and after a series of mergers, Lister secured management for Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Cairns Convention Centre, Sydney’s Olympic Stadium (now known as Accor Stadium), a network of cultural centers and live theaters in Perth, Brisbane’s 52,000 seat Suncorp Stadium and the Darwin Convention Centre. 

Lister was a key figure in the 2019 merger of AEG Facilities and SMG, two of the world’s leading venue management and services companies, in a “game changer” deal for the live industry, he remarked at that time.

“Harvey is a ‘once in a generation’ visionary, and I was lucky enough to meet him in the early days of commercial radio in Brisbane in the early 1970s,” explains decades-long business partner Rod Pilbeam. “We shared a joint love of live entertainment and since then an amazing career, business, and lifelong friendship.”

Legends Global CEO Levy hailed Lister “for his outstanding leadership and contribution to the industry globally. “

As many can attest, he continues, “Harvey is never short on stories and he is held in the highest regard around the world in the live entertainment industry. Through hard work, commercial acumen, and sheer determination, he has created countless opportunities for artists, promoters, major government and venue owners, and business partners throughout his incredible 50-year journey.

“One of Harvey’s greatest legacies is a strong team of capable leaders and the successful business he has built across APAC and MENA. I look forward to developing that further with Peter Loxton and his leaders.”