Kehoe to become Marketing Birmingham chairman
Paul Kehoe, the chief executive of Birmingham International Airport, is to become chairman of Marketing Birmingham, the body responsible for promoting the city's business and leisure tourism sector.
Kehoe will take on the role from outgoing chairman Ian Squires, who has decided to leave the post he has held for five years after being promoted by his employer, ITV.
Squires will formally stand down at the company's annual general meeting on 18 May, when Kehoe will take up the post.
Marketing Birmingham is a public-private partnership supported by 300 member businesses, as well as Birmingham City Council and Advantage West Midlands. The organisation promotes a sector worth £4.4bn a year to the city and says it attracts 23m visitors a year.
Kehoe will head a 15-strong board comprised from the public and private sectors to oversee and advise on Marketing Birmingham's strategy and direction.
He said: “Marketing Birmingham must be more than a destination marketing specialist - it has to be a passionate advocate for our city. Part of my role will be to channel that passion into something that continues to deliver results and makes Birmingham recognised on the world stage.
“Although Marketing Birmingham is taking the lead in promoting the city to a wider world, we can’t do it alone. One of the key notes of my chairmanship will be the importance of partnership - making every business, institution and resident in Birmingham a potential ambassador for the city.”
Squires, who has been promoted from managing director of Central Broadcasting to ITV's controller of regions and current affairs, said he was leaving Marketing Birmingham because he will have to spend considerable time away from the city in his new role.
He said: “Now is a good time to move on because the organisation is in a position to move up another gear - it’s been a pleasure helping it get ready to make that step.
“I couldn’t think of a better person to hand on to than Paul. He’s quickly become an established part of the city’s business community - he’s media savvy and he has an unrivalled understanding of the importance of destination marketing. I know he’ll be a superb chairman and adviser to chief executive Neil Rami and his team.”