Chris Townsend

Biography

Chris Townsend OBE is the former Commercial Director of Chelsea Football Club and London Resort. He was appointed Chief Executive of Broadband Delivery UK in April 2014 and oversaw a £1 billion investment in improving broadband internet access and mobile infrastructure.

He has over 25 years of marketing and commercial experience delivering major technology and infrastructure projects.

Before joining BDUK, Chris was Commercial Director for the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). Previously, Chris was Group Marketing Director for Transport for London, where he led the launch and marketing of the Oyster Card.

Prior roles include Director of Interactive Services at Telewest Broadband where he developed the company’s digital TV services, and Marketing Director for BSkyB, where he led the marketing launch of the Sky TV Channels, including Sky Sports, Sky Movies, and Pay Per View.

Chris was awarded an OBE in 2013 for his work on the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Previous roles in government

  • Chief Executive Officer of the Shielding Programme
  • Chief Executive, BDUK