New Chair of tourism partnership pledges to grow region’s visitor economy

Ambitious plans to grow the region’s visitor economy through a new partnership have taken a step forward following the appointment of a new Chair, Deputy Chair and board members.

The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) Board will bring forward a new Destination Management Plan to boost the region’s £2.7bn-a-year visitor economy, which employs around 25,000 people.

Positioning the county as the largest playground in the UK, the partnership will also champion the city of Stoke-on-Trent’s reputation as capital of ceramics and world craft city status.

Arthur Barnard, from the Philip Astley Projects CIC, was appointed as Chair by an independent panel which included representatives from VisitEngland and the West Midlands Destination Development Partnership. Arthur will lead on the partnership’s ambitious five-year plan to grow the sector and has a wealth of experience in the sector along with several years in business consultancy.

Appointed as Deputy Chair is Maria Howes, Head of Marketing and Business Development at the National Memorial Arboretum.  Maria brings extensive knowledge and experience of strategic communications, marketing, audience development and project management in the heritage, arts and culture sector.

Speaking about his appointment, Arthur said:

“I am delighted to take on the role of Chair working alongside Maria as Deputy Chair.

“We want our partnership to be the best of the best and we believe that we have the talent within our Board to achieve great things. We’re looking forward to working more closely with all board members, harnessing their talents and experience to realise outstanding results.”

Martin Murray, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills at Staffordshire County Council, said:

“Staffordshire has some of the best tourist destinations our country has to offer and the partnership has a key role in developing this further while championing the region across the UK and internationally.

“I welcome the new board members and look forward to working with them in driving through our ambitious plans. I also know they’ll be a strong voice for businesses across the area, with a real focus on securing investment for infrastructure development and future economic growth.”

Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said:

“Our centenary year has shone a light on the great tourism Stoke-on-Trent has to offer and the LVEP will only serve to unlock more of the city’s potential. I look forward to working with the new board members as we continue to see our tourism grow and build on our reputation as a world capital of ceramics.”

Maria Howes added:

“The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent LVEP covers an area with many special tourism gems that deserve to be appreciated more widely.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Arthur, the Board and the LVEP team to make great strides forward in what we can achieve together with our partners and to champion the county and city across the UK and beyond.”

Also joining the Board are Wayne Goodall, Managing Director of Waterworld Leisure Ltd, and Scott Randall, General Manager at Marriott Hotels.

Further information on the work of the partnership and board members is available on the Enjoy Staffordshire website.