Much ado about Stratford for airport communications chief

SHAKESPEARE’S ENGLAND, the destination management organisation for Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Kenilworth, Royal Leamington Spa and surrounding area, has appointed a new chair.

Jo Lloyd, commercial director at Birmingham Airport and the organisation’s current vice chair, steps up from her current post to head the board.

Ms Lloyd, who has worked for Birmingham Airport for six years, brings more than 25 years of experience in tourism, working for a variety of companies from French resort operator Pierre et Vacances to Luton Airport.

She originally joined the organisation when it was formed back in 2012.

“The celebrations that have taken place across the region this year to mark the 400 year old legacy of William Shakespeare, Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Europe’ rating for Warwickshire and the recent Aviva Women’s Tour have turned the world’s media attention to the area like never before,” she said.

“It is now vital that as an organisation we maximise the fantastic publicity that our global ‘brands’ have brought, and build further on the profile of our region both nationally and internationally.”  

She said while the appeal of the area was global, it still had to create a tourism product that was fresh and engaging.

This would be achieved by developing high quality content that people would want to come and see.

Ms Lloyd succeeds David Collins, former Head of Marketing at the Royal Shakespeare Company, who recently re-located to take up the post of Director of External Affairs at Opera North in Leeds.

Helen Peters, chief executive of Shakespeare’s England, said: “I am extremely pleased that Jo has been appointed as the new chair. (She) brings a wealth of commercial experience with her, not only from her position at Birmingham Airport but her previous travel roles.
 
“Jo has been a board member of Shakespeare’s England since conception so she has in-depth knowledge and understanding of the organisation that will be a huge asset as we move forward after what has been a momentous start to 2016.
 
“We look forward to extending guests’ knowledge of the Shakespeare’s England region on the global stage with the added expertise Jo will bring to the table.”
 
Michael Holland, marketing director at Warwick Castle has been appointed as new vice chair.
  

 

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