Mark Cornell

Mark Cornell
Born
Mark Ralph Delano Cornell

(1966-05-30) 30 May 1966
EducationWinchester College, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, International Institute for Management Development (MBA)
OccupationBusinessman
TitleCEO, Cirque du Soleil
SpouseLucy Gordon Lennox
Children2 sons and 2 daughters

Mark Ralph Delano Cornell (born 30 May 1966) is a British businessman, who was formerly the CEO of Krug Champagne,[1] Moët Hennessy USA,[2] Sotheby's Europe[3] and CEO of Ambassador Theatre Group.[4] He is the president & CEO of Cirque du Soleil.[5]

Background

Mark Cornell was educated at Winchester College in Winchester, England[6] where he was awarded an entry scholarship to The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.[7] After being commissoned, he served in the British Armed Forces with the Royal Green Jackets[8] from 1985 to 1992. During that time he completed three tours of duty in Northern Ireland.[9]

In 1996 Cornell received a post-graduate diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.[10] In 1999 he was awarded[11] a Masters of Business Administration(MBA) degree from International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland.[12]

Business career

In March 2013, Cornell became the managing director of Sotheby's for Europe, UK, MENA, and Russia.[13] In February 2016, he became the CEO of ATG Entertainment headquartered in Woking, England.[14][15] In September 2024, he was appointed as the non-executive chairman of Sapling Spirits.[16][17]

In November 2025, he was appointed the president and CEO of Cirque du Soleil.[18]

Government and charity work

Mark Cornell, as CEO of Ambassador Theatre Group, was appointed[19] a member of the Cultural Renewal Taskforce set up by the UK's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in May 2020. The taskforce, chaired by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden,[20] aim was helping the recreation and leisure sectors, including arts, culture, and sports, reopen safely after COVID-19 lockdowns.

Cornell also served from 2017 as a trustee of LAMDA,[21][22] a leading drama school in Hammersmith, London.

References

  1. ^ "Sapling Spirits Appoints Mark Cornell as New Chairman | Food & Drink Network UK". foodanddrinknetwork.co.uk. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  2. ^ "Who is Mark Cornell, the new chief executive of ATG?". The Stage. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  3. ^ "Officers: SOTHEBY'S LONDON LIMITED". webb-site.com. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  4. ^ Black, Maya (27 May 2019). "From soldier to CEO of the UK's biggest theatre company". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  5. ^ Vlessing, Etan (11 November 2025). "Cirque du Soleil Names Mark Cornell as New CEO". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  6. ^ "Ambassador Theatre Group chief executive Mark Cornell | interview". The Stage. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  7. ^ "More kicks from Champagne". The Guardian. 10 July 2005. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Ambassador Theatre Group chief executive Mark Cornell | interview". The Stage. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  9. ^ "Ambassador Theatre Group chief executive Mark Cornell | interview". The Stage. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  10. ^ Edmiston & Company, Edmiston & Company. "Edmiston & Company nomme Mark Cornell au poste de président-directeur général". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  11. ^ "Sapling Spirits Appoints Mark Cornell as New Chairman | Food & Drink Network UK". foodanddrinknetwork.co.uk. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Sapling Spirits Appoints Mark Cornell as New Chairman | Food & Drink Network UK". foodanddrinknetwork.co.uk. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  13. ^ "SOTHEBY'S LONDON LIMITED filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  14. ^ "Mark Cornell: Positions, Relations and Network - MarketScreener". www.marketscreener.com. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  15. ^ "ATG Entertainment". Providence Equity. 29 November 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  16. ^ "Sapling Spirits Appoints Mark Cornell as New Chairman | Food & Drink Network UK". foodanddrinknetwork.co.uk. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  17. ^ Madsen, Miona (21 October 2024). "Sapling Spirits names new chairman". The Spirits Business. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  18. ^ Vlessing, Etan (11 November 2025). "Cirque du Soleil Names Mark Cornell as New CEO". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  19. ^ "PolicyMogul - Champions of public affairs". us.policymogul.com. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  20. ^ "Arts Renewal Taskforce Announced By Culture Secretary". Artlyst. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  21. ^ "Mark Cornell: Positions, Relations and Network - MarketScreener". www.marketscreener.com. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  22. ^ "Mark Ralph Delano CORNELL personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 August 2025.