Department for Communities and Local Government
Mark Taylor will replace Ernest Vincent on 4 April 2013 following an open recruitment competition.
Communities and Local Government Minister Baroness Hanham said:
I am delighted that Mark Taylor has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre. With his excellent credentials, he will be a real asset to the conference centre.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Ernest Vincent for his 10 years of service at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre. He has provided firm leadership in this time, regularly meeting its financial target and providing a high-quality venue for its clients. I wish him much success with his future plans and ventures.
Mark Taylor said:
I am thrilled to have been chosen to take over the reins of this most prestigious and successful centre. With its extraordinary location, performance track record and superb industry reputation, the opportunity to lead the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre is a very exciting one indeed.
Stemming from my previous London roles I have, for many years, been a keen admirer and friend of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, as well as a key collaborative partner and competitor. I am really looking forward to working with the team in continuing the centres success and operating again in the heart of London, particularly after the capitals most amazing past year of global event successes.
Mark Taylor has had over 30 years of experience of events and venues. His roles have included:
- the Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau where he became Assistant Director
- Marketing Manager of the Wembley Convention and Exhibition Centre and subsequently of Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena
- Director of Sales and Marketing for Wembley International
- Commercial and Buildings Director of the Barbican
- Chief Executive of the Wales Millennium Centre from 2010 to 2012.
Most recently Mark has been working as an associate of a specialist events and venues consultancy practise, Why Not Consulting.
Mark currently serves as a nonexecutive director of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and is married with 2 children.
Further information
The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre is an executive agency of DCLG with trading fund status. The department owns the freehold of the building.
The chief executive of the centre is a senior civil service post (pay band 1).
From 13 March until 3 April 2013, John French, the centres Finance Director, will be designated by HM Treasury as the interim Accounting Officer.