KPMG main partner of ITU World Triathlon Series in Leeds
This weekend Yorkshire will host the fifth stage of the ITU World Triathlon Series. Thousands of professional and recreational triathletes will travel to Leeds to compete on the course, including more than 70 people from KPMG, one of the event’s lead sponsors.
As part of the International Triathlon Union’s (ITU) World Triathlon Series, Leeds will coming Sunday 12 June 2016 host a stage of the prestigious global sporting event. Many of the world's leading athletes – including UK’s Alistair and Jonny Brownlee – will compete during the event, in a bid to be crowned World Champion and seek qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The Series is enjoyed by a global TV audience of 156 million, according to estimates from analysts, with the stage in Leeds to receive live TV coverage on BBC2, among others.
The event in Leeds is, besides title partner Columbia Threadneedle, supported by six main partners – property advisor JLL, sunglass brand Oakley, sports manufacturer SUUNTO, FMCG firm Müller, triathlon sports specialist Zone 3 and professional services firm KPMG.
The partnership will provide KPMG with significant (international) brand exposure, in addition, the firm’s employees and clients will also benefit from a premium participation experience and VIP hospitality for the elite races, bringing them up close and personal with the thrilling racing action. “Sport can be a valuable team-building experience and we are very much looking forward to getting colleagues, clients and contacts in the UK together for the privilege of competing on the same stage as the world’s best,” says John Pass, Partner at KPMG in Leeds.
In addition to sponsoring the triathlon, a team of 70+ KPMG accountants and advisors will take on the challenge of completing the course, which will see triathletes start with an open water swim at Roundhay Park, before cycling 20 kilometres to the heart of Leeds city centre and then embarking on a 5 kilometre run that will see competitors finish at Millennium Square.
“This is the first time the iconic triathlon will be held in Leeds and its created a real buzz in the city, not just because of the world-class athletes that will be taking part but the fact we’ll once again be able to showcase Leeds, and the wider Yorkshire region, on a global stage,” comments Mike Shimwell, Director at KPMG in Leeds. The city is home to one of KPMG’s largest offices in the UK, employing more than 800 people in the Leeds who work alongside hundreds of organisations across Yorkshire and beyond on audit, tax and advisory matters.
Shimwell adds: “Following in the footsteps of the Grand Départ and the Tour de Yorkshire, the triathlon will shine a spotlight on some of our region’s finest attributes – from the vibrant and diverse business community, to the renowned countryside we have on our doorstep. It’s a pleasure to not only support such an important event but to also take part, after all, it’s not every day you can say you’ve competed on the same stage as an Olympian!”
Earlier stages of the World Triathlon Series were held in Abu Dhabi, Gold Coast, Cape Town and Yokohama. The Leeds stage is followed by triathlon courses in Stockholm, Hamburg, Edmonton and Cozumel.
