just been announced that Scott DeRue is to retire after 12 years as President and CEO of the IRONMAN Group.
Messick will remain a stakeholder and member of the Board of Directors following the recruitment and appointment of a new CEO.
Under Messick’s leadership IRONMAN became the world’s largest organiser of mass participation events and has expanded into road running, trail running, road cycling, mountain biking and digital training platforms.
Messick has led the company for over a decade through multiple ownership groups, ultimately partnering with long-term focused owners Advance and Orkila Capital, with that sale completed on 21 July 2020.
That was in the midst of the global COVID pandemic and Messick has also had to navigate other challenges in recent times including the split locations of Kona and Nice for the IRONMAN World Championship this year. Then more recently the furore which followed the tragic death of a motorcycle operator in a horrific accident at IRONMAN Hamburg last month.
“Being the CEO of The IRONMAN Group has been the professional honour of my life – the most meaningful and purposeful work experience I have had – and I am filled with gratitude for the support of my team members, our partners, and the athlete community over the past 12 years,” said Messick.
“I have given all I have to this job and my life has been enriched by the opportunity to build incredible events, meet athlete community members from all over the world, and lead an incredibly dedicated group of colleagues.”
in triathlon.
Key brands acquired or developed alongside the IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon series include the UTMB World Series, Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series, Epic Series of mountain biking events anchored by the Absa Cape Epic, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, and FulGaz virtual cycling digital platform.
Throughout his tenure, Messick tasked his team with creating and delivering opportunities for individuals around the world to experience the life-changing benefits of endurance sports.
He added: “I am proud of the organisation we have built with senior leaders and a global team of dedicated individuals who have been the backbone of our success. Combined with a supportive long-term focused ownership group in Advance and Orkila Capital, and a passionate base of athletes, the company is well positioned for the future.”
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