Darren Burden has been appointed as Project Executive Director for SMG at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.
The project, scheduled to open in 2023, comprises a 50,000 seat stadium, 10,000 capacity arena, 5,000 seat public sports ground, 60,000 m2 of retail space, and public open spaces.
Burden most recently served as a consultant for the NSW Government, leading the business case for the redevelopment of ANZ
Vbase Portraits
Until July 2018, Burden spent nearly five years as Chief Executive of Vbase, manager of Christchurch’s leading venues including Horncastle Arena, AMI Stadium, Hagley Oval, Air Force Museum Wigram, and the Christchurch Town Hall. With such a diversity of venues the company delivered over 700 events annually – always through its mantra of “make life more eventful.”
Before moving to Vbase, Burden spent seven years in Dunedin, working as the chief executive of the trust established to masterplan and build Forsyth Barr Stadium in time for Rugby World Cup 2011. He later became the chief executive of Dunedin Venues, operator of the stadium as well as the Dunedin Centre and Town Hall.
Burden has been involved in a number of other venue developments including the redevelopment of Christchurch Town Hall, the major refurbishment of the Dunedin Centre and the opening of Hagley Oval in time for Cricket World Cup 2015.
In 2016 Burden was named Venue Executive of the Year and Supreme Venue Person of the Year by the Entertainment Venues Association of New Zealand at their annual awards. In 2018 he was named as Asia Pacific Venue Professional of the Year by the Venue Management Association.
