AEV reveals board changes

Following the annual general meeting (AGM) of the Association of Event Venues (AEV) held at The NEC Birmingham on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the AEV has announced alterations to the board.

AEV chair, Ian Taylor, managing director, NEC and vice chair, Kerry Villa, chief operating officer, ACC Liverpool remain in situ.

Taylor commented, “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, Excel London; Max Bull, executive director of venue sales, Business Design Centre; Alison Griffin, managing director, Telford International Centre and Dan Thurlow, director of exhibition sales, Scottish Event Campus were all re-elected to the board. Joining the board for the first time is Richard Moorhouse, events director, The Great Yorkshire Events Centre.

Taylor added, “We continue advocating for the industry and ensuring we have the finance and resources to support and serve our members in accordance with our strategy.  Our membership has increased by five this year, now standing at 53 members and ten academic associate members. We currently offer 22 working groups hosting 73 meetings over the past year resulting in 1,208 member interactions. We are extremely grateful to all our members for their contributions.”

Rachel Parker, AEV CEO, welcomed the new board members, "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, starting with our annual conference being held on Friday 14 November at Excel London.”