AEV Announces New Board Leadership Following Annual General Meeting

The Association of Event Venues (AEV) has elected a new leadership team following its annual general meeting at The NEC Birmingham on 17 September, with Jeremy Rees, CEO of ExCeL London, taking over as chair.

Rees, who previously served as AEV treasurer, was elected chair following the conclusion of Ian Taylor’s term. Lori Hoinkes, CEO of Manchester Central, becomes vice chair, while Dan Thurlow, director of exhibition sales at Scottish Event Campus, takes on the role of treasurer.

Ian Taylor, COO of NEC Group, used his outgoing chair’s report to highlight a year of continued activity across the association. AEV’s newly branded focus groups, previously known as working groups, now number 23 and held 77 meetings over the past year, generating 1,129 member interactions.

The association also welcomed eight new members during the year, taking total membership to 55, alongside nine academic associate members.

Taylor commented, “We have had a record year for the newly branded focus groups*, now running 23 in total, and hosting 77 meetings over the year amounting to 1,129 member interactions. We also welcomed eight new members bringing our total membership to 55, in addition to nine academic associate members. Our members contribute a great deal of time and expertise to our community and we are grateful for their commitment.”
 

New leadership, continued board experience

While Taylor has stepped down as chair, he will remain on the AEV board. Vice chair Kerry Villa, chief operating officer at Liverpool Experience Campus, has likewise concluded her leadership role but remains on the board. Both were thanked for their contribution to the association during their respective terms.

Jackie Boughton, executive consultant for innovation and growth at The Barbican Centre; Paul Michael, managing director of Coventry Building Society Arena; and Villa were re-elected to the board.

The new board also welcomes Amanda Wrathall, CEO of the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), while Rowan Kitching, director of strategic partners at The Jockey Club, returns to the board. Paula Lorimer, director of Harrogate Convention Centre, has resigned from the board.

For the incoming chair, representation and engagement with government will remain an important part of the association’s role. Rees pointed to the economic contribution of the UK events industry and the need to ensure that its value is recognised in policy discussions.

Jeremy Rees, CEO, Excel London, extended thanks to the outgoing leadership team adding, “The events industry contributes £11.7 billion to the UK economy; it is our role to continue engaging with government to ensure it is recognised and valued. Serving on the AEV board is a great privilege; the collective skill and expertise create a distinctive platform to highlight the appeal of our industry and, amongst other things, develop the skills agenda.”

The AEV represents event venues of different sizes and types across the UK and internationally, providing a platform for members to connect, benchmark and share best practice, while representing venue interests in sector discussions and engagement with the UK Government.

Rachel Parker, AEV CEO, welcomed the new leadership and board appointments, while also confirming the association’s next major gathering.

"I’d like to thank Ian and Kerry for their continued support of AEV, and wish Paula well. I am looking forward to working with the newly elected leadership and Board members as we continue our work in the year ahead, starting with our annual conference being held at ICC, Olympia in London on Thursday 26 November 2026.”

The AEV’s annual conference will take place at ICC, Olympia in London on 26 November 2026, providing the association with its next opportunity to bring members and the wider venue community together.

AEV says the new “focus groups” name was adopted because it more accurately reflects the purpose of the groups, which were previously known as working groups.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.