NEC Group Chief Executive, Andrew Morris, has resigned. He announced his departure today (7 April) after less than 18 months in post.

Industry insiders believe that Morris' decision is entirely personal. "Running a massive enterprise like the NEC is a 24/7 activity and can place huge strains on keeping the work/life balance intact," said one. "The family has always come first in the Morris household and it seems he's decided that this is his number one priority."

Morris appeared to be relishing the challenge of moving the sleeping Birmingham giant into a new phase with his 'Destination NEC' plans (as told to Events Review in an interview for this site last week). But rumour is that the recent death of NEC Chairman, Trevor Dickins, hit him hard and brought his family life back into focus as he trawled up the M1 every Monday morning.

While Morris' going is unlikely to change Group strategy, there'll be plenty of suggestions of disquiet that he is leaving the NEC at such a critical phase in its redevelopment. This will do little to counter the contra-rumours that Morris is a Londoner at heart and what the NEC needs is a local man (or woman) committed full-time to the project.

At the time of going to press, neither Andrew Morris nor the NEC was available for comment.