CEOs don't come any cooler.
Over the last 18 years or so, John Harnden has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the South Australian Cricket Association, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. That apart, he helped build the Formula One race tracks in Melbourne and Adelaide, his hometown. How's that for a CV?
A self-confessed cricket fan who regards himself as a "good 12th man", Harnden is quick to shoot down any suggestions of knighthood. "No. I have no such aspirations," the 50-year-old chuckles. Apparently, all he wants is a great World Cup and a good holiday. But hang on. Not long after he did Melbourne proud by delivering an excellent CWG, he was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) medal. So, there's good reason to assume that he will be 'Sir Harnden' sooner rather than later.
Armed with a civil engineering degree from Adelaide University, Harnden also attended Harvard Business School. If that's not a deadly combination, then what is? Well, Harnden's passion for cricket, motorsport and success is.
"The thing with all huge sporting events is that you are not just going out to the world, but also welcoming them to your shores," Harnden says.
So how different have the various roles been? "The Commonwealth Games is one city, many sporting disciplines. The World Cup is 14 cities, one sport. But the common challenge is to capture everyone's hearts. After all, all such events are a grand celebration of cultures," he explains.
As chief executive, Harnden's primary job is to ensure his clients make top money. That's the bottom line, isn't it? But Harnden prefers to look at it differently. "Putting on an event like this is different from doing any other business. Here, the priority is to showcase a great brand of cricket. Stage a great tournament, get people to attend it at the stadiums and get the others to watch it from all over the world. Get that right, and everything is taken care of," he says.
In today's day and age, security is paramount. It's as essential as the air we breathe. Harnden is aware of the number of lives dependent on his sense of judgement. "It's the most important aspect of my job. We have the Australian federal police and other security agencies to help us. Everyone in my team takes his/her job incredibly seriously," he adds.
For someone who puts in "anywhere between 16-18 hours a day", Harnden doesn't look sleep-deprived at all. That's what passion can do to you.
KNOW HARNDEN
Full Name: John Harnden
Date of Birth: June 28, 1965
Education: Harvard Business School, University of Adelaide (bachelor's degree in civil engineering)
Positions Held
CEO, ICC Cricket World Cup local organising committee
CEO, South Australian Cricket Association
CEO, International Theme Parks at Village Roadshow Limited
CEO, 2006 Commonwealth Games (Melbourne)
CEO, Australian Grand Prix Corporation
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