Sir Andrew Parmley to lead new Blackpool ambassador programme

These include several new hotels, a tramway extension, public transport interchange and newly electrified rail connections. Other regeneration projects include major improvements to roads, bridges and traffic management schemes, and the development of new cultural, retail and leisure zones across the town.

He is also a member of the Prime Minister’s Apprenticeship Delivery Board and sits on the boards of several high-profile national charities and world-renowned orchestras and choirs.

“The recent swathe of new investments and improvements to Blackpool’s infrastructure, including the new Conference & Exhibition Centre, are now set to create a business tourism destination which will be unique in the UK. It will offer the best of the British seaside and northern friendliness together with high-grade hotel accommodation, efficient transport links and brand new conferencing facilities.

Mandy Tythe-McCallum, business tourism manager for Visit Blackpool, said: "We couldn’t wish for a more respected and well-connected individual to help us spread the word about Blackpool’s reinvigorated business tourism offer based on his first-hand knowledge of what’s actually happening.

“For example, Lancashire is a global leader in areas like aerospace, energy and advanced manufacturing, while our emerging strengths include digital health and life sciences. These are some of the areas we will be pursuing as part of our business tourism advocacy and ambassadorial programme with a view to recruiting champions dedicated to these vertical markets who can help influence key decision makers within the conference and exhibition sector.” With the addition of the new Conference and Exhibition Centre, which has been funded through the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Deal, the Winter Gardens will become a hub of 12 distinct venues offering a total of 4.9 acres of connected conference, meeting, event and exhibition space.