ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall have appointed two new non-executive directors to drive their five-year growth strategy.
Gerry Lennon (pictured left), chief executive of Visit Belfast, and Leo Callow (pictured right), founder of Callow Events, join the board as the venue group targets £180m in additional economic investment for the region by 2030.
The appointments come as ICC Belfast aims to double its number of large-scale national and international conventions. Lennon brings 25 years of experience leading Belfast’s destination marketing organisation, whilst Callow stepped down earlier this year from the event management firm he founded, which worked with high-profile clients across Belfast, Dublin and London.
Callow Events managed charity fundraising events worth hundreds of thousands of pounds and booked A-list performers during its operation.
“The board are very pleased to have two powerhouses of local tourism and events joining them,” said board chair Steve Daniels. “I have no doubt that the wealth of specialist experience that each of them will bring will greatly enhance our delivery of the new five year business plan.”
The duo join existing non-executive directors Julie Anne Clarke (Elliott Duffy Garrett), Richard Ramsey (Queen’s Business School), Wilton Farrelly (Choice Housing) and Patricia Burns (Belfast City Airport).
The venue group’s five-year plan focuses on expanding international convention business and entertainment events under chief executive Rob McConnell.