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Alistair is Chair of the SW Tourism Alliance and has organised this conference. He will also be the facilitator on the day and will lead on the ‘MOT’s for all accommodation providers?’ panel and audience discussion.

More bio details here

Deirdre has been Chair of the national Tourism Alliance since July 2017 and has just been appointed Chief Executive Office of GotToPlaces. During her 20 year career in the Dept of Culture, Media and Sport she was the Government’s Head of Tourism, delivering the government’s GREAT campaign – aiming to help the world discover why Britain is a great place to visit and do business.

Patricia Yates has been with VisitBritain/VisitEngland since 2005, becoming Strategy & Communications Director in 2007. She is responsible for research, tourism affairs and communications. Patricia will present an update from VisitBritain/VisitEngland, update us on the Discover England Fund and her wide experience will help steer many of the panel discussions.

UKH is the result of a merger between two large lobbying associations, the BHA and ALMR. Kate is a first-class speaker and an accomplished lobbyist. We will be asking Kate to lead the conference debate on Tourism Taxes.

Carolyn has 30+ years working in the UK tourism industry and is known for her infectious enthusiasm and passion for progressive tourism. Previously Director of UK holidays for SAGA, Specialist Tourism Advisor for Business Link Devon & Cornwall and Senior Tourism lecturer at Plymouth CFE. She ran Close Focus Tourism Consultancy and managed the set up of ERTC.

With 15+ tears in travel and tourism, Sally;s career includes IHG, Macdonald Hotels. She was founder of Oxford Marketing Group and remained on the steering group for six years. She was Sales Director at Bovey Castle and later set up an international representation service for venues across South West England, focused on the US, China, Germany and UAE markets.

With 30+ years in travel & tourism, inc. 6 years at Saga Group, 12 years in consultancy, 2 years at National Maritime Museum Cornwall and 5 years at South West Tourism, Robin’s consultancy focuses on delivering projects requiring commercial support. Robin is a spokesperson for SWTA and  President of the Tourism Management Institute.

Kurt is a popular speaker at these events and will give us all a heads up about what all the lobbying might achieve, and where new threats and opportunities lie. Kurt will be asked to lead the conference debate on Registration schemes for tourism businesses.

Liz’s communications and PR firm works with central Government, focusing on infrastructure, the economy, environmental & educational fields and stakeholder relations. She was interim Chief Executive of Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, chaired the Local Transport Board and is a non-executive member of the First Great Western Advisory Board.

Stephen has worked in Whitehall for over a decade. His previous roles include Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Culture (2014-17), Ministerial Speechwriter at HM Treasury (2012-14), and Senior Arts Policy Advisor (2008-12). Stephen has a unique and refreshing presentational style and will update us all on how various pressure points on tourism are perceived by Government.

David became Chief Executive of Heart of South West LEP in June 2018. Previously, he had spent 5 years as CEO of the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP from 2013 where he oversaw the development of the D2N2 Strategic Economic Plan and sector strategies and 3 Growth Deals with HM Government to deliver a £1 billion capital investment programme