The Barbican's director of commercial Jackie Boughton will step back from
her full-time role in September, after 12 years helping to shape the venue’s
commercial success, hospitality and event industry profile and business
events strategy.
Boughton will continue to support the Barbican as executive consultant, innovation
and growth, working closely with chief executive Abigail Pogson and the wider
team to support the centre’s next phase of development.
In
this new role, Boughton will focus on ambassadorial activity, business
intelligence, new market research, advocacy, brand awareness, client
engagement, product feedback and sector representation across business events
and wider commercial markets. The role has been designed to support the
Barbican’s future growth objectives, while ensuring continuity of senior
expertise and industry visibility.
Boughton joined the Barbican in 2014 as head of business events, before becoming director of commercial. During that time, she has overseen significant growth
in business events and commercial activity, including the Barbican’s bars
and catering business, contributing to more than £80m of revenue for the
Barbican and City of London Corporation. She has also helped position the
Barbican as one of London’s most distinctive venues for conferences, meetings,
corporate events, filming, hospitality and brand experiences.
A
respected and influential figure across the events, hospitality, tourism and
leisure sectors, Boughton’s career has included senior roles across hotels,
agencies, destinations and major venues. Her earlier experience in the leisure
and travel trade, including contracting with tour operators, ground handlers
and travel agencies, provided a strong foundation for her later work across
business events, destination promotion and commercial venue strategy.
She was
one of the first women to sit as a board director in a privately owned hotel
and apartment group, was part of pioneering work around global distribution
systems in the hotel sector, helped deliver award-winning customer service
training programmes, and played a senior commercial role in the pre-opening and
mobilisation of the new Wembley Stadium with Delaware North.
Boughton has also been widely recognised across the industry, and during her time at
the Barbican, the commercial venue team has won multiple awards, including
honours for best venue, sustainability, customer service, team performance and
innovation.
She will continue to engage with the wider sector through her senior industry
roles, including as board director of the Association of Event Venues, board director of Drumworks and as a member of the ICCA UK & Ireland executive committee.
Abigail
Pogson, chief executive of the Barbican, said: “Jackie has made an
exceptional contribution to the Barbican over the last 12 years. She has
combined commercial intelligence, creativity and deep sector knowledge with a
leadership style rooted in kindness, trust and generosity. Her work has helped
us grow our commercial offer, strengthen our position in the business events
market and build long-lasting relationships across London, the UK and
internationally.
“I
am delighted that Jackie will continue to work with us as executive consultant, innovation and growth. Her insight, advocacy and understanding of the market
will be hugely valuable as we look ahead to the Barbican’s next chapter and
continue to develop a sustainable, ambitious and culturally distinctive
commercial future.”
Jackie
Boughton said: “The Barbican is a very
special place, and it has been a privilege to work with such talented,
committed and creative colleagues over the last 12 years. I am incredibly proud
of what the commercial team has achieved, not only in terms of growth and
revenue, but in the way they support clients, audiences, artists and partners
with care, integrity and imagination.
“The
business events, hospitality and wider commercial sectors matter deeply, not
only because of the economic value they generate, but because of the
connections, collaboration and opportunities they create for people,
organisations and destinations. I have always believed that successful
teams are built on respect, trust, communication and accountability. The
Barbican has outstanding people across the building, and I know the team will
continue to take the business forward with energy and confidence. I am also
delighted to remain connected to the Centre in this new consultancy role,
supporting Abigail and the team as they look to future opportunities for
innovation and growth.”
Tracy
Halliwell MBE, director of tourism, conventions and major events at
London & Partners, said: “Jackie has been a passionate and highly effective
advocate for London’s business events sector for many years. Her work at the
Barbican has helped showcase not only one of the capital’s most iconic venues,
but also the strength, creativity and international appeal of London as a
destination for meetings, conferences and events.
“She
is respected across the industry for her expertise, generosity and ability to
bring people together. It is excellent news that she will continue to play an
active role through her consultancy work and senior industry positions,
ensuring London and the wider sector continue to benefit from her experience
and leadership.”
The
Barbican’s commercial venue team will continue to be led by its established
senior team, with Boughton supporting the transition through her advisory role.
