Golf’s DP World Tour has restructured its leadership team in the Middle East, appointing two new managing directors to head up its operations in the region.
Katherine Palethorpe and Freddie Schmeisser have been elevated by the organisation to lead commercial partnerships and tournaments, respectively, from April 6.
The appointments follow Tom Phillips’ appointment as chief executive of the Ladies European Tour, announced in early January and effective from April.
Phillips has served as the DP World Tour’s head in the Middle East since 2019, when he succeeded the long-serving Nick Tarratt.
The DP World Tour stated that the new dual-leadership model “strengthens dedicated focus across tournament delivery and commercial development, ensuring operational excellence and sustained partnership growth.”
Palethorpe will lead partnership strategy across the Middle East, focusing on long-term relationships, commercial innovation, and sustainable growth.
She will serve in the position alongside her existing role as director of partnership management, which she has held for the past year.
Palethorpe has been with the DP World Tour for 13 years in several partnership roles.
On her new role, she said: “The region presents significant opportunity for partnership development and innovation. Our focus is on deepening existing relationships while identifying new opportunities that align with our long-term ambitions and deliver value for our partners.”
Schmeisser, meanwhile, will oversee tournament and operational execution across the region, working closely with host venues, partners, and stakeholders to deliver events.
He has been based in the United Arab Emirates during his eight-year stint with the DP World Tour. He has spent the last three years as head of championships in the Middle East.
Schmeisser added: “The Middle East plays a central role in our global calendar and continues to evolve as a key strategic region. Our priority is to deliver consistently high standards across every tournament, strengthen collaboration with host partners, and ensure we build on the strong platform already in place.”
