Welcome to Yorkshire, the region’s tourism marketing agency, has today, 16 July, relaunched a Yorkshire Ambassador programme to help support its objectives over the next few years.
The ambassadors, drawn from all areas of Yorkshire, will support a range of different sectors within the wider economy as the region continues its post-Covid recovery.
As experts within their field, the group will act as “thought leaders” in their respective sectors while aiming to bring opportunities to life by representing Welcome to Yorkshire and the county of Yorkshire at events throughout the year.
Led by chair Philip Bolson, owner of Mr B Hospitality, and former general manager of the Grand Hotel in York, ambassadors will represent all four corners of the county from North, South, East and West Yorkshire to promote the region.
Bolson said: “Throughout my career, my focus has been on developing high performing teams, building partnerships, being curious, keeping things simple, and ‘getting things done’. I hope to bring this attitude and experience to my role as a Welcome to Yorkshire Ambassador.”
James Mason, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “The idea of Yorkshire Ambassadors isn’t a new concept and we still have many people who are associated with Welcome to Yorkshire that act as Ambassadors every day.
“But after a really difficult few years, we thought it was worth relaunching this initiative with a fresh approach and with people who have played a significant role in supporting both the organisation and county over a very challenging period. Anyone that has been an ambassador or patron before should still consider themselves a key figure in our past, present and future.”
The organisation formed a Tourism Recovery Task Group earlier this year chaired by The Piece Hall Trust’s Nicky Chance-Thompson. She said: “Bringing together key figures from both the public and private sector, the group feeds into national agencies and policy makers with regards to the ongoing challenges and opportunities that exist as the region deals with the Coronavirus pandemic. The Ambassador group will play a vital role in amplifying the challenges and opportunities the county faces.”
Günther Peeters, based in Belgium, will act as a European ambassador. Having studied at the University of Hull, Mr Peeters describes himself as a “passionate Yorkshire fan” and carries out missionary work in Northern Europe. He is currently managing director at Dutch professional football club FC Eindhoven.
The full Ambassador list is not exhaustive but includes the following:
Nicky Chance-Thompson DL – Chief Executive Officer at the Piece Hall Trust
Richard Stubbs – Chief Executive Officer of the Yorkshire & Humber Academic Health Science Network (AHSN)
Abbi Ollive – Head of Marketing and Sales at Castle Howard
Dr Amir Khan – GP and television presenter
Sharon Watson DL – CEO and Principal at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance
Hannah Cockroft MBE DL – Paralympian, multiple-winning gold medallist
Paul Vinsen – Hotel & Tourism Advisor at The Hull, Humber & East Yorkshire Hospitality Association
James Mackenzie – Head Chef and Owner of the Michelin starred restaurant Pipe And Glass Inn, near Beverley
Debbie Dobson – Director of Sales at Dakota Hotel in Leeds.
Fiona Gardham – Tourism and hospitality consultant and owner of award-winning Bed and Breakfast The House at Hawes
