Visit West, the official Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for the West of England, is delighted to announce the appointment of Andrew Billingham, CEO of YTL Arena Bristol, as its new Chair. Andrew takes the helm of Visit West at a pivotal time for tourism and economic regeneration in the region.
Alongside Andrew’s appointment, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority are now co-owners of Visit West alongside Business West, demonstrating their commitment to support the region’s tourism, hospitality, and events industry.
With its company roots stretching back to 1999, Visit West is recognised as one of the UK’s leading organisations supporting the visitor economy as one of the first accredited LVEPs in 2023. As a public-private partnership operating on a not-for-profit basis, Visit West’s work is key in the continued development, support and promotion of the visitor experience across the region bringing together a diverse range of businesses. It provides comprehensive programmes across both its Visit Bristol and Visit Bath channels and works extensively with the leisure trade and business events industry.
“I am honoured to serve as Chair of Visit West and to champion the West of England’s vibrant tourism industry,” said Andrew Billingham. “Our region boasts incredible diversity from the stunning coastline and rural heritage to dynamic urban centres and flagship attractions. Visit West plays an essential role in bringing together public and private sectors to drive growth. I’m committed to building on the organisation’s success and ensuring our communities thrive through sustainable tourism. Tourism is worth £2.5 billion to the local economy, supporting more than 45,000 jobs.”
“Andrew’s appointment brings invaluable leadership to Visit West,” commented Kathryn Davis, CEO of Visit West. “His extensive experience in major events and venue management, alongside his deep-rooted commitment to the region, aligns perfectly with our mission. Under his stewardship, we will work collaboratively to enhance visitor experiences, support local businesses, and drive economic impact while championing sustainability and inclusivity.”
“The West is the place to be,” said Mayor of West England, Helen Godwin. “Those of us who are lucky enough to be from here know that – and so do all those coming to visit. Whether it’s the Jane Austen Festival, the Women’s Rugby World Cup, the Greatest Dog Show on Earth, or the upcoming Weston-super-Mare Carnival, as ever, there is so much going on in our part of the world. It’s fitting that this milestone for Visit West comes in the week we are set to launch our new regional Growth Strategy. The combined authority has a key role in backing economic growth, so it’s right that we’re now invested in supporting such an important sector. Andrew, like John, Kathryn, and the rest of the board are well-placed to keep bringing major events to the West for local people and visitors alike to enjoy alongside our other many attractions – supporting tens of thousands of jobs.”
Visit West is the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for the West of England. They represent the four unitary authorities of Bath & North-East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire, businesses within these areas, and members beyond, working to maximise the potential of the region’s visitor economy.
Visit West promotes the region globally, supports tourism businesses with development, marketing, and research, and drives growth by collaborating with local authorities, industry, and educational partners. The organisation prioritises sustainable practices, inclusive experiences, and community engagement. Visit West operates the Meet Bristol & Bath Convention Bureau and the Visit Bath and Visit Bristol consumer websites.
Andrew has been a Visit West board member since 2020, supporting the organization’s mission to increase the region’s visitor economy and promote the West of England as one of the UK’s premier destinations for leisure visits and business events. In 2020, he was named one of Bristol’s most influential figures by Bristol24/7 following his instrumental role in the completion of the 27,000-capacity Ashton Gate Stadium, which is currently hosting the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup – including England’s semi-final on Saturday against France. Andrew is spearheading the development and future operations of Bristol’s long-anticipated YTL Arena Complex, a state-of-the-art 20,000-capacity live music and entertainment venue.
