BSG founder Paul Woodward (left) to remain as chairman and adviser as Mark Cochrane (right) assumes ownership.
After 25 years at the helm of one of Asia’s leading business events consultancies, Paul Woodward has announced the transfer of ownership of Business Strategies Group (BSG) to current managing director Mark Cochrane.
Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Hong Kong, BSG has carved out a unique position as a consultancy dedicated to the business events and exhibitions industry in Asia. It has advised more than 200 global companies and government agencies and currently operates the Asia-Pacific office of UFI – the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, where Cochrane also serves as regional director.
The transition to new ownership will be phased, with completion expected by March 2027 and Woodward staying on as chairman and senior adviser.
“Mark Cochrane and his great team have been running BSG on a day-to-day basis for quite a few years now,” said Woodward. “As I begin to step back from active consulting work, this is the ideal arrangement for the company, its team, and its clients. I couldn’t be happier with the plan and am confident that there’s a bright future for BSG as it starts its next 25 years.”
Cochrane first joined BSG as a consultant in 2006 and was appointed managing director in 2010 when Woodward relocated to Paris to serve as CEO of UFI, a position he held until the end of 2015.
“I am very pleased to have been able to come to this arrangement with Paul,” said Cochrane. “BSG has built an amazing reputation since he founded the company for providing high-quality advice based on our unique event database and many years of experience working in the exhibition and business events industry. I’m also happy that Paul has agreed to remain in an advisory role as chairman as we address the many challenges and opportunities in this fast-changing market.”
BSG’s clientele spans organisers, venue operators, private equity investors, and government agencies, such as convention bureaux and tourism boards. Its core services include market research, business development strategy, portfolio analysis, feasibility studies, competitive intelligence, launch planning, and commercial due diligence.
BSG provides representation services. Besides managing UFI’s Asia-Pacific operations since 2004, BSG has also supported the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau’s (TCEB) exhibition-related activities in Greater China since 2006.