DUBAI, UAE – The DP World Tour has announced a strategic restructuring of its Middle East leadership, appointing Katherine Palethorpe and Freddie Schmeisser as new Managing Directors to spearhead the region’s next phase of growth.
Effective April 6, the dual-leadership model will see Palethorpe lead commercial partnerships while Schmeisser oversees tournament delivery. The move underscores the Middle East’s critical role in the Tour’s global portfolio, which now includes three Rolex Series events and total regional prize money exceeding $35 million.
The appointments follow the departure of Tom Phillips, the long-standing Director of the Middle East, who was recently named Chief Executive Officer of the Ladies European Tour. By splitting the leadership role, the Tour aims to provide dedicated focus to both operational excellence and commercial innovation.
“The region presents significant opportunity for partnership development and innovation,” said Katherine Palethorpe. “Our focus is on deepening existing relationships while identifying new opportunities that align with our long-term ambitions and deliver value for our partners.”
Palethorpe previously served as the Tour's Deputy Head of Partnership Management, where she played a key role in managing high-profile global accounts.
Freddie Schmeisser, formerly the Director of the DP World Tour Championship, will now manage the broader regional calendar, which serves as a central pillar of the Tour’s "International Swing."
“The Middle East plays a central role in our global calendar and continues to evolve as a key strategic region,” added Freddie Schmeisser. “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.”
The transition comes at a time of record investment in the region. In late 2025, the DP World Tour signed a historic title partnership extension with DP World through 2035, ensuring long-term stability for its Middle East operations.
The revised structure is designed to offer:
