Welcome to Yorkshire, the region’s tourism marketing agency, has relaunched its ambassador programme to help support its objectives over the next few years.
Drawn from all areas of Yorkshire, the representatives will support a range of different sectors within the wider economy as the region continues its post-Covid recovery.
James Mason, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “The idea of Yorkshire Ambassadors isn’t a new concept and we still have many people who are associated with Welcome to Yorkshire that act as ambassadors every day.
"Furthermore, anyone connected with the county, whether you were born here or live and work here, should always be flying the flag for our region. But after a really difficult few years, we thought it was worth relaunching this initiative with a fresh approach and with people who have played a significant role in supporting both the organisation and county over a very challenging period.
"Anyone that has been an ambassador or patron before should still consider themselves a key figure in our past, present and future. We need all the support we can garner and look forward to seeing them at events later this year.”
Led by Philip Bolson, owner of Mr B Hospitality, and former general manager of The Grand Hotel in York, ambassadors will promote the county as a place to visit, live, work and study.
He said: “Throughout my career, my focus has been on developing high performing teams, building partnerships, being curious, keeping things simple, and ‘getting things done’. I hope to bring this attitude and experience to my role as a Welcome to Yorkshire ambassador.”
.Also on the list are Nicky Chance-Thompson DL, chief executive at the Piece Hall Trust, Halifax; Richard Stubbs, chief executive of the Yorkshire & Humber Academic Health Science Network; Abbi Ollive, head of marketing and sales at Castle Howard; Dr Amir Khan - GP and television presenter; Sharon Watson DL - chief executive and principal at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds; Hannah Cockroft MBE DL - Paralympian, multiple-winning gold medallist; Paul Vinsen - hotel and tourism advisor at Hull, Humber & East Yorkshire Hospitality Association; James Mackenzie, head chef and owner of Michelin-starred restaurant Pipe And Glass Inn, near Beverley; Debbie Dobson - director of sales at Dakota Hotel, Leeds and Fiona Gardham - tourism and hospitality consultant and owner of award-winning bed and breakfast The House at Hawes.
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As experts within their field, the group will act as thought leaders in their respective sectors whilst also bringing opportunities to life by representing Welcome to Yorkshire and the county of Yorkshire at events throughout the year to demonstrate support for all that is happening in the region.
Mr Vinsen said he was looking forward to “making a contribution to our industry in which I have been involved all my working life,” while Ms Ollive said: “I am hugely passionate about encouraging as many people as possible to experience all that Yorkshire has to offer. Our beautiful region is ideally placed to be the backdrop to the happiest of memories and the more I can contribute to help tourism recover in a post-pandemic world, working with the team of ambassadors, the better!”
In addition, Günther Peeters, Belgian-based managing director of Dutch professional football club Eindhoven is to act as a European Ambassador. He studied at the University of Hull and describes himself as a “passionate Yorkshire fan”. He will carry out missionary work in Northern Europe.