The Meetings Industry
Association
(MIA) has appointed Shonali Devereaux as its new chief executive, taking over
from Kerrin MacPhie when she stands down in December.
Devereaux, who
has a wealth of experience working across the business meetings and events
sector, will commence the role on Tuesday 26 November.
Her CV includes
30 years’ experience working on high-profile events,
including the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, 20 years in senior leadership,
and on boards, including as vice-chair of the Tourism Alliance and as a volunteer
with industry mentorship scheme Fast Forward 15 and industry charity foundation Meeting
Needs.
She is currently
a lecturer in Events Management and Tourism, emcee and keynote speaker at
leading industry events. Devereaux impressed the board with her enthusiasm and
strong strategic vision for the MIA.
Shonali
Devereaux said: “I am incredibly passionate about the business meetings and
events industry. It is the best industry in the world to work in and it will be
a privilege to be able to further raise its profile as CEO of the MIA.
“Everything
that I have done in collaboration has always been better than I could have
envisaged on my own. This is why it is exciting to lead a membership
organisation that not only promotes excellence but seeks to forge strong
relationships between and beyond its members.”
She
added: “I’m looking forward to delivering the vision of the MIA - to help
business meetings and events in the UK to be the best in class - through
creating a diverse and inclusive membership, promoting and sharing best
practice, delivering a strong accreditation programme, and raising the profile of
our sector with key stakeholders.”
Kerrin MacPhie,
chief executive of the MIA, said: “Serving as the chief executive of the MIA
has been a true privilege. Over the past three years, I am proud of the
positive changes we have achieved under my leadership. With Shonali's passion,
expertise, and deep understanding of the sector, I am confident she will
continue to guide the MIA towards realising its strategic goals, while
championing the broader business meetings and events industry."
Charles
Sargeant, chair of the MIA board, said: “We are thrilled that Shonali has
accepted the role as chief executive of the MIA as her experience and
enthusiasm for both the association and the business meetings sector is very
apparent. The board were extremely impressed by her five-point strategy to
further grow and deliver a first-class membership experience while ensuring
that the economic contribution of the sector is recognised by government.”
He
added: “We are extremely grateful to Kerrin for her expert leadership and the
instrumental role she has played reinvigorating and strengthening the value
that the MIA offers to both our members and the wider community. During her
tenure she has expertly driven change implementing impactful initiatives to
push the sector to the forefront of the government’s agenda while developing a
highly motivated team who, under Shonali’s leadership, will take the newly
refreshed MIA to new heights.”
