Paddy McNally

Patrick Sean McNally is a British businessman and former racing driver. He was chief executive of Allsport Management, a Swiss-based company which controlled Formula One advertising and hospitality via the Paddock Club.

Early life

McNally was born on 20 December 1937 in Gravesend, the son of Patrick, a Royal Air Force officer, and Mary McNally. He grew up in County Monaghan, Ireland, and was educated at Stonyhurst College.

Career

Beginning his career as a motorsports journalist for Autosport magazine, McNally was also involved in sports [car racing] throughout the 1960s. Residing in Lausanne, Switzerland, he then worked for Philip Morris's Marlboro as a sponsorship consultant. Later he was a driver manager of James Hunt, a friend who he "looked after" on behalf of Marlboro.
By 1983 McNally had begun working with Bernie Ecclestone. In December 1983, he set up Allsport Management SA, a company which provided corporate hospitality and trackside advertising for Formula One events. Based in Geneva, Allsport and related Allsopp Parker & Marsh, registered in Ireland, owned the trackside advertising rights at Formula One circuits and operated the Formula One Paddock Club, the Grand Prix hospitality provider.
In March 2006, he sold Allsport Management to CVC. He remained chief executive until 2011, when he announced his retirement. McNally is considered a principal architect of modern commercial Formula One.

Personal life

In 1967, he married Anne Downing, daughter of the wealthy racing driver Ken Downing. Prior to divorce they had two sons. He was also linked with Finnish fashion model Nina Rindt.
McNally was involved with Sarah Ferguson between 1982 and 1986; after refusing to marry her she ended up Wedding of [Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson|marrying] Prince Andrew. The pair remain close friends.
McNally has been noted for his social prominence in the Swiss ski resort Verbier, where since 1980 he has owned several chalets referred to as "the Castle". He is the owner of Sevenhampton Place, Wiltshire, the former home of James Bond author Ian Fleming.