He is known by many throughout the industry for his role within ESCA (European Sponsorship Consultants Association) and then ESA.
Nigel Currie, ESA joint-chairman, said: “Tony has been a real stalwart initially for ESCA then for ESA. His contribution to the sponsorship industry has been immense and his dedication and professionalism never waivered in the many years with the association.”
In more recent times Rudge played a key role in increasing the professionalism within the industry through developing education and training programmes for the ESCA/ESA members, those in marketing and PR as well as corporate companies and rights holders such as national governing bodies.
His career in sponsorship began in 1982 following some 20 years operating leisure facilities for the Rank Organisation, Mecca and the Wembley Stadium complex.
The transition into sponsorship and event management was a natural move first with the West Nally agency to become the executive director of the World Games 1985 in London for 21 non-Olympic sports in 11 different venues.
During this time he also worked on other projects including Davis Cup Tennis, B&H Cricket and Snooker, Silk Cut Country music and darts, BET Clipper Challenge, rugby at Twickenham and the World Hockey Cup.
After leaving West Nally, he became self-employed and assisted the founder members to establish ESCA in March 1990. He was the secretary of the association for 13 years before moving on to developing the education and training programme.
