Al Jazira Sports and Culture Club (JSCC) has announced that Nick Garcia, former Director of Partnerships at City Football Group, has been appointed as group CEO.

Garcia, who helped build CSM Middle East, one of the region’s leading marketing agencies, left Abu Dhabi for the UK in 2012. He worked as Head of Partnership Marketing for Manchester City before moving on to City Football Group, which he left in 2016.

The Brit has now returned to the UAE and is aiming to transform Al Jazira into a ‘world class’ club.

“I am delighted to take up the position of Group Chief Executive Officer of JSCC in my second home, Abu Dhabi,” Garcia said.

“The great ambitions of the JSCC Board for the future of the Club and its commitment to realizing these aspirations have been instrumental in my decision to join team Al Jazira, which has the potential to become a best in class organization both on and off the field of play. ”

Garcia explained that he will focus on improving operational efficiencies, ensuring a sustainable financial position, smart investments, increasing Al Jazira’s revenues across its businesses and strengthening the club’s overall brand. 

Al Jazira Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium

Al Jazira play at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Vice Chairman of the AJSC Board and Chairman of the Executive Committee said: “”I would like to thank the members of the JSCC Board of Directors and the executive management team for their hard work in developing the club over recent months. I welcome Nick to the Club and wish him the best of luck in his new mandate.

“Our ability to achieve the strategic goals for the Al Jazira Club will depend largely on supporting our teams in their aspirations to achieve additional successes and championships. We will continue to instil the spirit of operational excellence, positivity, diligence, perseverance and teamwork to ensure that the Al Jazira Club continues to be the Pride of Abu Dhabi.”

Al Jazira won the 2016-17 Arabian Gulf League and reached the semi-finals of the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup, narrowly losing 2-1 to European champions Real Madrid after taking the lead.