New leadership announced alongside additional AEV working group.

The Association of Event Venues (AEV) has introduced new leadership teams and launched a new working group for 2026 bringing the total offering to 23.

A combination of virtual and face-to-face meetings, the working groups focus on topics fundamental to event professionals. Members from AEV and its sister associations volunteer time and expertise in running and participating in this core element of membership.

Rachel Parker, CEO, AEV, said, “Our working groups are the engine of AEV – they bring our members together to share experiences and agree best practice ensuring the industry can operate at its optimum.  We are constantly reviewing and amending our offering according to member requests.”

The new AEV working group – venue production – creates a network for venue/theatre production and technical staff providing a forum to exchange ideas and experiences. Often isolated from one another, the new group will facilitate site visits, production and technical training prospects and collaboration opportunities with other industry groups all with the simple aim to raise standards and improve event production across the UK.

The leadership team for:

• Venue Production
  • Chair: James Blackall, production manager, The O2
  • Vice: Tim Norris, assistant head of production services, ACC Liverpool

Two working groups have also been renamed to accurately address member and group requirements: cross association event technology and catering and hospitality.

Ten existing working groups have also welcomed new leadership this year:

• Academic
  • Vice chair: Dr Libby Carter, course leader& lecturer, Birmingham City University
• Future Focus
  • Chair: Jenny O’Sullivan, senior enterprise sales manager, Convene 22 Bishopsgate
• Junior event managers
  • Vice chair: Kerry McLeish, event manager, ACC Liverpool
• Marketing and communications
  • Anna Moscardini, marketing manager, ACC Liverpool
• Venue Strategy
  • Chair: Nancy Mollett, venue director, ICC Wales
• Security
  • Vice chair: Steve Hanley – group security and health & safety manager, Telford International Centre
• Cross association diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Chair: Raphael Sofoluke, founder and CEO, The UK Black Business Show and UK Black Business Week
  • Vice chair: Laura Beattie, senior operations executive, IMEX Group
• Cross association eGuide User
  • Co-chair: Ian Solomon, operations director, Hyve Group Ltd.
• Cross association health and safety
  • Chair: Matthew Jones, Head of Health, Safety, Risk, & Compliance, ACC Liverpool
• Cross association HR
  • Chair: Clare McCann, HR manager, ICC Belfast
  • Vice chair: Zinnia Angus, Chief People & Culture Officer, Montgomery Group
• Cross association event technology
  • Chair: Matt Wilson, chief revenue officer, Sitka Ltd
  • Vice chair: Adam Douglas, IT manager – event delivery, SEC

The association is currently recruiting vice chair roles for various working groups.

Alden Arnold, head of commercial and projects, AEV, commented, “Our 23 working groups concentrate on key priority areas. Delivering their outcomes relies on the knowledge and dedication of our members (and our sister association’s). Last year we held 79 meetings, with 32 guest presenters, totalling more than 118 hours of collaboration. Our member’s ongoing commitment and engagement is significant and we are sincerely thankful for their support.”

Parker added “The leadership teams have a great impact on the direction of their group and I would like to welcome and thank each of them for their contribution.”