The ACC Liverpool Group - home to Echo Arena, Exhibition Centre Liverpool and BT Convention Centre - has appointed former Liverpool Football Club chief executive Ian Ayre as its new chair of the board.
Ayre, who stepped down as LFC chief executive at the end of February after 10 years at the club to take over as MD of German football club TSV 1860 Munich, will take over from current chair David McDonnell who is stepping down after seven years in the role.
Ayre (pictured right, with ACC Liverpool Group CEO Bob Prattey) was previously chief executive at Total Sports Asia and also served as non-executive chairman for the Liverpool City Region Visitor Economy board.
He said: “I am honoured to have been appointed chair of The ACC Liverpool Group board as I embark on the next phase of my professional career. It was important to me on leaving Liverpool Football Club to remain involved with the city when my day to day role will now move to Munich, Germany. I can think of no better organisation than The ACC Liverpool Group to allow me to continue to make a contribution to the region.
“Its significance to the area cannot be overestimated, particularly for the profile it brings on a national and international scale. I look forward to bringing my own experience of guiding large organisations.”
Upcoming concerts at Echo Arena include Bob Dylan, The Who, Take That, Bruno Mars, Steps, Iron Maiden and Phil Collins.
Bob Prattey, chief executive of The ACC Liverpool Group, added: “We are extremely grateful to David who has been a fantastic chair since he was appointed in 2010. Ian is the perfect candidate to take over this role thanks to his comprehensive experience at commercial organisations and high profile venues such as Liverpool Football Club.
“This is an exciting time for us as we head towards our 10th anniversary next year and we are pleased that Ian will join us on the next phase of this journey.”
