HIC announces appointment of new Director

Harrogate International Centre is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Director, Angus Houston, who will start with Yorkshire’s largest conference and exhibition venue, HIC, in the New Year.

Delighted to now be appointed to this key UK events role, Angus expanded on his future as HIC Director, “Having worked in the leisure, hospitality and service sector throughout my career, I have honed a broad and complex range of business and people skills which has enabled me to successfully build, drive and run significant organisations. I am an ambitious individual and relish this new challenge of leading and directing HIC with a clear goal to drive, develop and sustain the business, whilst offering optimum client and customer service.”

He continued, “The UK events market is fiercely competitive, with all major cities recognising the validity of event venues as business tourism and economic impact drivers. Harrogate had foresight in the past to develop such facilities and I am determined to ensure HIC as a venue and Harrogate as a destination remains a primary choice for large conferences, events and exhibitions”.

Angus brings a wealth of relevant business experience to this leadership role; having commenced his working life for Sydmar Ltd in Gibraltar, where he learned the hospitality trade. Further career developments map a return to the UK, resulting in professional training at Lumley Castle Hotel, in County Durham. Diversifying into the sporting hospitality and events market led to his appointment to Operations Manager at Headingley Stadium, followed by progression to General Manager for Compass group at Haydock Park Racecourse. This was followed by a unique role in building, opening and managing Limerick Racecourse; the first new track to be built in Ireland for over 50 years. Angus then returned to the UK in January 2008 to take up position as Executive Director at The Ricoh Arena in Coventry, which has seen him proactively develop event market share for this multi-purpose sports and events venue.

The Leader of Harrogate Borough Council, Mike Gardner, offered a glowing endorsement to Angus’s appointment, explaining, “Angus is an impressive business leader, naturally able to strategically guide an organisation to run efficiently and effectively, whilst understanding the critical importance of successful people relationships; he demonstrates clear knowledge and empathy of client, employee and stakeholder needs.”

Mike concluded, “With such a positive focus and determination, perfectly coupled with strong communication skills and an easy and likeable demeanor, I am confident that Angus can define and drive a strategy to boost commercial viability and long term development of the site”.

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