AEV Announces Board Changes Following Annual General Meeting

The Association of Event Venues (AEV) has announced significant changes to its board following the annual general meeting (AGM) held at The NEC Birmingham on September 16, 2025. The meeting confirmed the re-election of several key figures and the introduction of a new board member, reflecting the AEV’s ongoing commitment to the event venue industry.

Ian Taylor, managing director of NEC and AEV chair, and Kerry Villa, chief operating officer of ACC Liverpool, will continue in their roles. In his remarks, Taylor emphasized the organization’s robust position, stating, “I am pleased to report that the Association is in excellent shape. Membership, engagement, interaction and financial standing are all strong.”

Treasurer Jeremy Rees, chief executive officer of Excel London, along with Max Bull, executive director of venue sales at Business Design Centre, Alison Griffin, managing director of Telford International Centre, and Dan Thurlow, director of exhibition sales at Scottish Event Campus, were all re-elected to the board. The newly appointed member is Richard Moorhouse, events director at The Great Yorkshire Events Centre, marking his first term on the board.

Taylor highlighted the association’s advocacy for the industry, noting the importance of having the necessary resources to support members. “Our membership has increased by five this year, now standing at 53 members and ten academic associate members,” he stated. He also mentioned the existence of 22 working groups, which have hosted 73 meetings in the past year, resulting in a total of 1,208 member interactions.

AEV director Rachel Parker expressed enthusiasm for the new board members, saying, “I am delighted to welcome the re-elected members back to the board and to Richard who joins the board this year. I am looking forward to another productive year.” The AEV’s annual conference is scheduled for November 14, 2025, at Excel London, marking an important event for the association and its members.

The changes to the AEV board come at a time when the events sector is navigating various challenges and opportunities. With a renewed focus on membership and engagement, the AEV aims to strengthen its influence in the industry while continuing to provide valuable resources for its members.