The Business Visits & Events Partnership (BVEP) has today elected Chris Skeith OBE, currently Director of EIA – representing AEO/AEV/ESSA, as its new Chair. The appointment, which takes place with immediate effect, will see Chris take up the role on a two-year term taking over from Simon Hughes, who moves into the role of Immediate Past Chair.
Commenting on his appointment, Chris said; “I feel very privileged to be taking on the role of BVEP Chair at this pivotal time for our industry and would like to express my personal thanks and appreciation to Simon for helping us to navigate the past two years. There is no doubt that we still face enormous challenges as a sector, but with those challenges come opportunities. Along with the Executive Committee and Partner members, it is my aim to ensure that the BVEP continues to be an independent and inclusive organisation which supports the continued recovery of the entire events industry, and that we work together to ensure that the UK remains one of the most attractive destinations for events of all kinds”.
In a move designed to provide further resources and support for the events sector, as it continues its recovery, the umbrella organisation has also expanded the scope and remit of its Executive Committee, which now consists of;
- Chris Skeith OBE (EIA): Chair
- Simon Hughes: Immediate Past Chair
- Caroline Jackson (AEME): Vice Chair - Treasurer and Chair of the Diversity, Skills and Talent Working Group
- Susan Tanner (NOEA): Vice Chair - Membership
- Priya Narain (AEME): Vice Chair - Membership
- Nick Morgan (NOEA): Vice Chair - Commercial Opportunities and Chair of Outdoor Events Working Group
- Michael Hirst OBE: Advocacy and Government Relations
- Robert Wright: Special Advisor
In addition to the roles of the Executive Committee, there will also be several individual Sector Working Groups, designed to enable the organisation to gain improved data and insights, which can be shared directly with Government and the wider industry. These working groups, each of which will be chaired by a BVEP Partner, include;
- Business Events
- Outdoor Events
- Skills, Talent & Diversity
- Advocacy & Government Relations
- Research & Business Intelligence
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Notes to editors
For further information on BVEP please contact Hollie Luxford on 07506 016507 or at
About the BVEP
The Business Visits and Events Partnership’s (BVEP) vision is to support sustainable growth for the UK’s £70 billion UK Events Industry. BVEP’s mission is to support growth across the entire sector via advocacy, networking, collaboration and a collective voice.
BVEP’s objectives are to:
- Operate an umbrella organisation to represent, promote and further the interest of member organisations involved in the United Kingdom Events Industry
- Advance the interests, standing, quality, sustainability and growth of the United Kingdom Events’ Industry
- Seek greater collaboration across the Events’ Industry sectors on common issues
- Forge close links with Government departments, including devolved Governments where possible via representation that can influence favourable policies towards the Industry. In particular, maintain strong relationships with key sponsoring departments, DCMS, DIT and BEIS
- Seek a stronger link with the Creative Industries and other related sectors
- Encourage joint events
- Increase the focus on professionalism and skills development.
BVEP Partners
- ABPCO (Association of British Professional Conference Organisers)
- AEME (Association for Events Management Education)
- beam (previously known as HBAA)
- Business Travel Association
- Core Cities
- Events Industry Alliance (AEO, AEV, ESSA)
- Events Industry Forum
- EMA (Event Marketing Association)
- EVCOM (Event & Visual Communications Association)
- ICCA (International Congress & Convention Association)
- IASB (International Association of Speakers Bureaus)
- London & Partners
- Meetings Industry Association
- Meet in Ireland
- MPI
- NOEA (National Outdoor Events Association)
- PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association)
- PLASA (Professional Lighting and Sound Association)
- PSA (Production Services Association)
- Tourism Northern Ireland
- Unique Venues of London
- VisitBritain
- Visit Wales
- VisitScotland Business Events.