Part of the World Defense Show organization since its launch, Andrew has led the team to two incredibly successful events and aims even bigger for the third. He holds responsibility for the show’s overall organization and success, working in close liaison with the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI).

As CEO, Andrew oversees a permanent multicultural, multidisciplinary team of 70 in the Riyadh head office, which grows close to 150 in the run up to the event and during its execution. Through careful selection and nurturing, he has ensured a strong and growing level of Saudization in the team and a productive program of talent development throughout the organization.

This role builds on a 25-year career as an all-round strategic and commercial professional with challenging positions in events, advertising, brand management and sponsorship with brands ranging from telecoms to food and beverage.

Before joining WDS, Andrew spent five years as Chief Marketing & Insight Officer for the ADS Group (UK trade association for Aerospace, Defense, Security and Space) and its wholly owned subsidiary venue and event business Farnborough International. At FI, Andrew was a board director, responsible for the strategic direction and commercial marketing activities of key business units, including media and communications and sponsorship of the international aviation events.

Pearcey has also held the positions of managing partner in Cheil Worldwide and the head of brand partnerships and sponsorship at EE.

During his time as the head of brand partnerships, Pearcey was responsible for the strategy, contract negotiation, marketing, PR, and ongoing relationships for all brand sponsorship and events in the UK across music, film, and sports, including the first ever title sponsorship of Wembley stadium for EE, which remains in place today.

Andrew holds a degree in business studies, with a major in marketing, from Middlesex University in his native UK, and professional qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.