After two-and-a-half years, Nigel Nathan (group commercial director, EC&O Venues) has stepped down from the role of Association of Event Venues (AEV) chairman, with former vice chair Kevin Murphy (deputy chief executive and managing director, ExCeL London) accepting the Board’s nomination to become the second AEV Chairman.

Murphy: stepping into Nathan's shoes at AEV

“As I leave this role, I remain as confident as I was back in 2004 for the need for an inclusive trade body that represents the needs of a variety of venues that stage events and exhibitions,” said Nathan. “AEV is now really starting to gain momentum. The organisation’s Working Groups are generating exciting outputs, especially in areas like sustainability and security. The new ‘joint self-regulation initiative’ is a landmark project, in which AEV venues are intrinsically involved. Add to this the EVA merger, and the research projects that AEV is driving on behalf of EIA (such as the ‘Facts’ and ‘Event Marketing Effectiveness’) and you have some significant work underway, which is of benefit to the entire industry.”

Kevin Murphy added: "AEV has come a long way, but has even further to go; there is much that I intend to build on in my time as chair. There are a great number and variety of exhibition/event venues operating within the UK and beyond who could add an extra dimension to AEV, and derive real benefits in return. The organisation must continue to grow its membership base, and increase its representation of such venues and, therefore, the power of its voice.”