Stuart GouldenTourism agency, Visit York, has appointed Jane Gibson as its new chairman who joins with over twenty five years experience of strategic development in cultural and creative industries.
Jane takes the non-executive role at Visit York as her chairmanship of the York Mystery Plays advisory board comes to an end. In addition to her position at Visit York, Jane will continue her role on the advisory board of the National Trust Yorkshire & North East as well as her advisory position at enterprise charity SkillsBridge and her directorship of performing arts company November Club.
Her appointment comes after the previously appointed chairman Nick Cust OBE left the role only weeks after accepting it in March this year.
Jane has committed to work with the chief executive, the board and Visit York’s tourism marketing team to ensure visitors to the city continue to have a positive, world class experience, whilst making sure the organisation maintains and increases its economic sustainability
Jane said: ‘It’s a great honour to be joining Visit York as chairman. I am looking forward to getting to know the board, staff, members and partners with a goal of maintaining a strong, stable organisation.
‘Ultimately our main aim is to ensure customers have a great time when they come to York, so in my first year, I want to concentrate on the role that Visit York can play in maximising these positive experiences. I would also like to see everyone who runs a tourism business make a great living, so I’ll be keen to explore ways that we can support the local economy and increase visitor spending in the city.
‘There are many exciting projects ahead, including the recently awarded Regional Growth Funding and our partnership with Visit England, which presents fantastic opportunities to reach new audiences. I’m delighted to be on board to help retain York’s position as a global tourist destination.’
Keith Wood, Acting Chairman of Visit York, said, ‘Jane brings with her experience that is crucial in leading a tourism agency and we’re looking forward to working with her to garner some of her excellent working knowledge of cultural and tourism industries.’
A key area of expertise which Jane brings to the role of chairman at Visit York is her track record in creating and maintaining partnerships, something which is a key focus for Visit York. Jane also has significant experience in economic development through cultural and creative industries, large-scale capital development, European and Single Pot funding, running a small business and public and third sector governance. In a voluntary capacity she was an executive board member of Culture North East, a member of the Learning & Skills Council in Northumberland and a director of Northern Stage.
Jane is married to Sir Ian Gibson, chairman of Morrisons supermarkets and lives in York.
