Danny Townsend is the CEO of SURJ Sports Investment, leading the strategic direction of the organisation as it invests in global sports, brings international events to Saudi Arabia and elevates the sports ecosystem across the country and the wider MENA region. Since October 2023, he has been steering SURJ’s vision and operations. Recognised as a key influencer in the industry, Danny was listed among SportsPro’s Top Ten Influencers and Sports Business Journal’s Most Influential People in Sports Business in 2024.
With over 25 years of global expertise in the sports industry, Danny Townsend’s career spans leadership roles across New York, London, Singapore and Sydney. Prior to joining SURJ, he served as CEO of the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) for two years and spent four years as CEO of Sydney FC, where he significantly advanced the commercial viability and global profile of professional football in Australia and New Zealand. He also co-founded Repucom International, a leading sports marketing agency acquired by Nielsen in 2016.