Phil Batty OBE
CEO, Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026
Chief Executive Officer of the Glasgow 2026 Organising Company, Phil is a specialist in major projects and large-scale events. He has been appointed to lead the 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games to be held in Scotland next summer, following his role Director of Ceremonies, Culture & the Queen’s Baton Relay for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
With experience across culture, sport, heritage and place-making, Phil has been at the heart of some of the UK’s most ground-breaking events over the last decade. As CEO of SKYMAGIC, a world-leading drone light show business, Phil worked internationally to deliver global shows and events across four continents.
He brings significant experience of realising the social impact from events, having been Director of Public Engagement for the £32m Hull UK City of Culture in 2017. In this role Phil led the marketing, place-making, and education initiatives for a 365-day artistic programme in Hull.
Subsequently he was appointed Chief Operating Officer of The WOW Foundation, overseeing the expansion of a programme of global festivals in 65 countries worldwide. Phil went on to manage the strategic campaigns and marketing for the Mayor of London’s first-ever Borough of Culture in Waltham Forest.
For the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Phil led the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, watched by a global audience of millions in 2022 and organised the late HM The Queen’s Baton Relay throughout the 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth during the global pandemic.
He is Vice Chair of the Bradford UK City of Culture 2025 Board of Trustees and services as a Board member of Spirit of 2012, the London Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Funder.
Phil was awarded an OBE in December 2022 as part of HM The King’s Inaugural New Year Honours for services to sport and culture.