Following the announcement that Heather Lishman, Association Director at the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO), will take early retirement at the end of 2025 after 14 years at the helm, Conference News caught up with her to reflect on her career, achievements, and the future of the association.
Lishman will officially step down in December, following the annual ABPCO Excellence Awards, which this year take place at Manchester Central.
During her tenure, Lishman has helped ABPCO grow into one of the most respected and influential voices in the UK events industry.
She began her career on a graduate scheme with a hotel group before moving into key account management with a group of training and conference centres. She later worked at Quality in Tourism, part of VisitBritain, until being made redundant 14 years ago.
Shortly after, Lishman applied for, and secured, the role of association director at ABPCO, marking the beginning of over a decade of thoughtful, values-led leadership.
When she first took on the role of Association Director at ABPCO, her initial reaction was one of concern. “Blimey, they might not be able to pay me next month,” she recalls. With just half a day’s handover and limited systems in place, it was a baptism of fire that demanded immediate action. But what followed was over a decade of steady, values-driven leadership that helped transform ABPCO into one of the most respected voices in the events industry.
Looking ahead, she explains that the decision to step down wasn’t taken lightly, but came at a natural point of transition both personally and professionally. She says: “As for stepping down, it’s more of a personal decision. I felt the timing was right after the Manchester Central Excellence Awards this year, which was especially meaningful as I’m from Greater Manchester. Operationally, it also made sense – the membership renewals were completed, and the current Chairs have been in place for 18 months, giving plenty of time for a smooth transition. It just felt right to leave at Christmas.”
As she reflects on her time as director of ABPCO, Lishman points to a defining moment that helped solidify the organisation’s identity: the process of establishing its core values.
What began as a wide-ranging member consultation became a unifying exercise that distilled the essence of ABPCO into three guiding principles. It was a milestone that, she says, not only clarified the association’s purpose but also provided a strong foundation for future decisions and growth. Lishman says: “The highlight has been when we collaborated with members to define our core values. We narrowed down 250 ideas to just three, and when we landed on them, everyone agreed – that’s ABPCO. Those values have since guided everything we do. They’ve helped us stay focused and true to who we are.”
During Lishman’s tenure, ABPCO has become a lot more collaberative. She said: “In the past, associations operated quite separately. But by being proactive within UK Events and other forums, we’ve built strong relationships. We share ideas, support one another, and create partnerships that bring mutual value – whether with professional bodies like MIA or Memcom, or mentoring groups like Fast Forward 15 and Elevate. During COVID, that network was vital not just for us, but for our members too. We actually grew during that time.”
She has also been a passionate advocate for raising standards across the events industry often championing issues that were ahead of the curve.
Under her leadership, ABPCO took a stand on matters such as the push for free Wi-Fi in venues, once considered a luxury, now a basic expectation, as well as promoting fair pay through support for the living wage. The association also played a role in advancing conversations around sustainability and neuro-inclusivity, recognising the importance of creating events that are not only environmentally responsible but accessible and welcoming to all. These efforts have reflected ABPCO’s broader mission to drive positive change, not just for its members, but for the industry as a whole.
At the heart of Lishman’s leadership has been a deep commitment to listening and truly understanding what members needed and responding in a meaningful way. Lishman says: “Leadership is all about listening. You can’t support members effectively without understanding their needs. It’s also about being honest if something can’t be done, say so. Collaboration is key. You can’t do everything on your own. And the more you give whether through speaking or mentoring the more others are willing to help in return. It’s not about ego.”
As she prepares to step down, Lishman is clear that her legacy isn’t about her but about the success and growth of the people around her. She says: “A good association director helps the members shine – it’s like being a parent and watching your children thrive. I hope people feel they can come to me, that I’ve built a network of trust, collaboration, and positivity. I’ve been behind the scenes helping others to grow. If I’ve enabled that, then I’ve done my job.”
Her approach to leadership has always been about enabling others creating the conditions for members to thrive, collaborate, and lead in their own right. Rather than leaving with a fanfare, she’s focused on ensuring a smooth transition, with structures in place and strong leadership ready to carry ABPCO forward. It’s a quiet legacy—one rooted in trust, care, and the belief that true leadership means knowing when to step aside and let others flourish.
Her advice to to those who may follow in her footsteps, or others who may be taking on leadership positions is to listen, understand what individuals need and meet them where they are. She says: “Be flexible, collaborative, honest. Keep your integrity. And stay true to your values, because that’s what guides everything.”
After her retirement, Lishman is set to fly to Asia to visit her son in Hong Kong and then travel around Vietnam. After that, she will return to the UK and plan to get involved in her local community and take time to enjoy life.
