Ian leads on visitor economy strategy and activities, having been with the organisation for more than 10 years. He co-ordinates and oversees the research carried out on behalf of the destination as well as the activity and projects which support tourism businesses and the growth of the visitor economy across Newcastle and Gateshead and the wider region. Under Ian’s leadership his team develops and delivers programmes and campaigns to support businesses to innovate, be more sustainable and inclusive and market our offer to business and leisure visitors nationally and internationally.

Ian has dedicated 20 years to the industry, working as a consultant and as a senior leader, using evidence-based approaches as a former researcher to drive and influence change and reach new markets and audiences, always looking to explore next new technology or improvement and with an incredible network of tourism practitioners, industry contacts and researchers and academics to bring tourism products and services to market.

Ian studied Tourism Operations and Management at University before beginning his tourism career at Northumberland Tourist Board. Ian sits on the VisitEngland Research Advisory Group, represents NGI on the North East Tourism Alliance and is a Trustee for Beamish Museum. He is passionate and driven and dedicated to the growth of the visitor economy in the UK and has played a huge role in raising awareness and the profile of the visitor economy and its value in the North East of England and its contribution to the levelling up agenda. He is always looking to be early adopter, looking at new ways to develop the destination, its products and its approach to regenerative tourism, steering the whole of the region through this framework with collaboration with GDS Index, industry and the public sector.

During the pandemic Ian demonstrated extraordinary leadership and commitment to the visitor economy, which had been hit hard by restriction rules. As well as support tourism businesses, through one-to-one support, webinars and allocation of funding, he also worked hard to ensure the sustainability of the sector and its future. Applying for funding and support measures to future-proof the sector. Since covid and over three years, Ian drove diversification across NGI’s funding streams, identifying where our expertise can be utilised to deliver services that maximise our impact for the region and most of all industry. During 2022-23, under Ian’s directorate we secured £4.7million worth of funding to support the future of our region’s visitor economy.

We have no doubt that Ian’s leadership, commitment and research-based innovation has contributed to the latest STEAM figures for Newcastle and Gateshead and the region as a whole.