Experience Oxfordshire, the Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for the county, is delighted to announce the appointment of Stuart Crook, as its new Chair. He has been a member of the Experience Oxfordshire Board since 2016 and has been an active member of the organisation’s Finance and Resources Committee during his tenure. Stuart will take up his new role when Joanna Davidson CBE, the incumbent Chair, steps down this autumn after six years of service.
Originally from Oxford, Stuart Crook is a partner in the Oxfordshire and London based accountancy firm, Wellers and an alumnus of Oxford Brookes University. He has been part of the wider Oxfordshire business community for over 20 years with extensive experience of working with owners, directors and stakeholders in various types of businesses in the region including hospitality, technology, professional services, and international trades.
Commenting on the appointment, Experience Oxfordshire Chair, Joanna Davidson CBE, said: “Over the past seven years, since he joined the Board of Directors and Trustees, Stuart has served as both an outstanding advocate for the county’s visitor economy and a constant supporter of Experience Oxfordshire. Stuart’s financial insight and experience in helping small and medium sized businesses has been invaluable to the organisation as we worked to support businesses across Oxfordshire during the pandemic and to mitigate against its ongoing impact. As Chair, Stuart will be a great asset to the Board as the organisation develops to meet new opportunities and future challenges.”
Stuart Crook takes up the role at an exciting time for Experience Oxfordshire. The official DMO for the county, in March 2023 was one of the first destinations in England to gain Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) status from national tourist board, VisitEngland. LVEPs have been established as part of the UK Government’s response to recommendations to reshape destination management across England, reducing fragmentation and bringing coherence to its destination management landscape. As an LVEP, Experience Oxfordshire is recognised as a high-performing organisation, supporting collaborative working both locally, through its network of partners and those with interest in the visitor economy, and nationally on shared priorities.
As incoming Chair, Stuart Crook said: “I am honoured to be invited to follow Joanna in this prestigious role, leading an experienced group of talented Board Members and Trustees. Experience Oxfordshire’s work is essential in ensuring Oxfordshire competes effectively, both nationally and internationally, in attracting vital business and leisure visitors to the county. Having been involved with the organisation for several years I continue to be impressed with what Experience Oxfordshire delivers for all the various stakeholders in the sector. I look forward to continuing to use my skills and experience in strategic development and finance to support Experience Oxfordshire in their efforts to grow the value of the county’s visitor economy and help our venues, experiences and local suppliers thrive.”
Experience Oxfordshire works with businesses and organisations with an interest in the visitor economy, to grow the sector’s value and productivity. It leads on destination management within the county, whilst ensuring that tourism works for everyone across Oxfordshire.
The organisation has a growing Partnership of businesses spanning all parts of the visitor economy and through effective collaboration works to ensure that Oxfordshire is a world-renowned destination of choice for tourism, culture and business. It provides business advice and support, advocating for the sector amongst key influencers both locally and nationally.
Experience Oxfordshire runs an extensive programme of engagement with visitor audiences issuing targeted monthly e-newsletters to visitors, travel trade, MICE (meeting, incentives, conferences and events) buyers and group organisers; it produces the annual Experience Oxfordshire Visitor and Venues guides, as well as growing the destination’s influence through the delivery of partnership marketing with national and international brands.
**ENDS**
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
Image: Stuart Crook
Experience Oxfordshire is the official Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for Oxfordshire. It is the trading arm of the parent charity, Experience Oxfordshire Charitable Trust, and is a not-for-profit partnership organisation committed to the promotion, management, and development of Oxfordshire as a great destination to live, work, visit and do business thus improving growth and productivity across the visitor economy. One of the first Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEP) announced by VisitEngland, the DMO provides essential business advice and support to visitor economy businesses across Oxfordshire.
For more information on Experience Oxfordshire go to experienceoxfordshire.flywheelstaging.com/partner or contact partnership@experienceoxfordshire.org
Information on Board of Directors and Trustees can be found at experienceoxfordshire.flywheelstaging.com/partner/about-us/board-members
Media contact: Lesley Wright / press@experienceoxfordshire.org / 01865 686433
You can keep up to date with Experience Oxfordshire’s activity by following:
Facebook – Experience Oxfordshire
Instagram – @experienceoxfordshire
Twitter – @ExperienceOx and @ExperienceOxBiz
LinkedIn – Experience Oxfordshire