Friday Jul 23, 2004

ExCeL London today announced the reorganisation of its business into two divisions covering the Conference & Events and Exhibition markets respectively. Vanessa Cotton, previously Managing Director of The Event Organisation Company, will join ExCeL London on 1st September as Managing Director of its newly created Conference & Events Division. Ms Cotton will also become a member of ExCeL's Executive Committee.

Kevin Murphy, in addition to his role as Deputy Chief Executive of the Plc, will assume overall responsibility for ExCeL's exhibition business. Commenting on the reorganisation, ExCeL London CEO Jamie Buchan said: "Our research and practical experience has shown that the sales, marketing and service delivery characteristics of the exhibition and conference markets are very different. We have set up the two new divisions in order to ensure that we fully capitalise on the exceptional growth experienced by ExCeL London within both sectors."

ExCeL's non-executive Chairman, Lord King of Bridgwater, said: ExCeL's strategy is to represent London as a world class Exhibition and Conference Centre on the national and international stage and the appointment of Vanessa Cotton, a respected and leading figure in the conference industry, to a new position at the top of our organisation demonstrates our ambition."

Ms Cotton has impressive credentials within the Conference industry. Formerly a Director of Brintex, she then founded and successfully developed The Event Organisation Company for 17 years before selling it earlier this year. Ms Cotton is Chair of the Business Tourism Advisory Group, a Commissioner on the International Convention Centre Mayoral Commission and a Board Member of Visit London.

Commenting upon her appointment Vanessa Cotton said: "I am excited to be joining ExCeL London and to have the opportunity of contributing towards its strategic development. People who know me will realise that I have a passion for conferences and I believe that ExCeL London is an enormous asset to the venue infrastructure of our industry and one which has considerable potential for business growth".

or contact Gemma Parkhouse at ExCeL London on 020 7069 4739 or email GemmaParkhouse@excel-london.co.uk