Jonny Dodge is the Founder and CEO of GP Management, a group of companies managing a portfolio of experiences and events. These include Formula 1 hospitality, adventure travel and space tourism. Online Editor Simon Wittenberg caught up with him to find out more.
LM: What have been your career highlights to date?
JD: I’ve been very lucky to have had so many opportunities. For example, I spoke with Bernie Ecclestone when he was controlling Formula 1, and he gave me my first break, which was a huge step in my career at the time.
Some of the most amazing things we have done to date have been shutting down Canary Wharf to create a street race for Formula 1 and broadcasting that content to 30 million people globally. This was an amazing showcase in London, demonstrating what it’s like to stage a Formula 1 race in the heart of the city. Putting it together ourselves was certainly a highlight.
LM: Please tell our readers about what GP Management does.
JD: GP Management creates unique experiences for both consumers and brands, such as having breakfast on Everest, day trips to Antarctica, and visits into space – things that are completely inaccessible normally and that money can’t buy.
These are experiences we are excited to deliver to individuals and big global companies, offering corporate incentives like no other.
We realise now in this changing world that people don’t want standard hospitality – they want something which is unique and delivered to the highest level. Not only does this add value to the relationship, but we evaluate the bond it creates between us and our customers.
LM: You organise the Grand Prix Ball. How long have you been doing this for, and what is the event about?
JD: This is the eighth year we’ve organised the Grand Prix Ball at the iconic Hurlingham Club, which kicks off the Formula 1 weekend in style by seeing it happen in central London. This is a rare opportunity for people to get up close and personal with Formula 1 stars and cars.
This is something we’ve been doing for many years, and we know it helps charities with our work. We have donated hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years that we have been running the event.
It’s very close to my heart the charity we are doing it in association with. It’s called “Wings for Life”, a spinal research institution.
LM: How did you get into motorsport, and has it always been a passion of yours?
JD: Initially I got into motorsport with the Gumball Rally and Maximillian Cooper. I started there in the early days, organising a celebrity supercar rally around the world and creating many adventures.
I then went on to organise boat rallies with speed boats and superyachts. These events got me into the world of celebrities, and I then owned nightclubs which showcased the luxury lifestyle. It all melded into a big passion for organising events which encompassed all boys’ toys.
Formula 1 was the next to beckon and is the pinnacle of motorsport, of course. It’s been an amazing experience, and we are always looking to the next horizon, which involves an engine, so that would be Formula E and space travel.
LM: Which is your favourite Grand Prix?
JD: Monaco is my favourite Grand Prix. Arriving by helicopter, landing there amongst multi-million-pound superyachts, and being trackside to watch the race – it’s a completely magical, unique experience.
LM: What’s the most luxurious experience that you offer clients?
JD: The sky is the limit with us, but not now with the arrival of space tourism. There have already been several multimillionaires who have gone to visit the space station.
The next trips will be flying to space with Virgin Galactic at a cost of £250,000 per person. This has been a long time coming, but it is now just around the corner.
LM: Space tourism is the next unexplored frontier, which will offer the ultimate experience beyond the confines of the Earth. Do you think it’s going to be a “space” that will become increasingly competitive?
JD: Space will be one of the most competitive businesses around, but we are at the forefront with our platform called spaceexperiences.com. This will be the world’s first aggregator of all space-related experiences, which will range from astronaut training to jet fighters. Every industry that’s on Earth will happen in space, too, and that’s really the next frontier for people.
Individuals who aren’t in the industry might not realise the scale of how far progressed some of these projects are. Already, parts of spaceships are being built for Mars at the Space X facility. Trips to Mars and the Moon are only a few years away.
LM: Have you always been interested in space exploration? Is it your ambition to go “up” too?
JD: Of course, it’s my ambition to go up to space. I even planned to get married in space, although Galactic got delayed, unfortunately. Exploration in space is key and is on the tip of everyone’s tongue. These days, the ambition is to explore new and wonderful things further afield.
LM: What are your personal luxuries in life?
JD: For me, every man needs a good car and a good watch. I have an Audemars Piguet Offshore timepiece and an Audi R8 sportscar. However, my personal luxury is having the time to explore and embark on adventures. Realistically, I want to spend all my time and money on seeing new places and worlds.
LM: What’s next for GP Management?
JD: I think it’s about becoming more adventurous with our ideas as the world strives to create more unique experiences. Everything will become more experiential. From where you eat and how you see your friends to where you have your adventures.
Our focus is on creating a platform that will deliver experiences to people daily.
LM: Thank you for your time, Jonny.
GP Management – Where and How?
For more information on GP Management, visit www.gp-management.com.
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