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Centre

The QEII Centre announces new Chief Executive Officer

by jummy84 October 28, 2025

written by jummy84

Safraj Ismail has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of world-renowned conference, events and exhibition venue The QEII Centre.

Commencing her role on the 27th of October, Safraj (Saf) joins The QEII Centre from the Gambling Commission. As an accomplished senior leader, her most recent role was as Programme Director overseeing the National Lottery Competition. Saf also has extensive experience leading internal and digital communications teams, with a consumer focus.

Saf joins the leading Westminster-based venue as it announces one of its strongest years on record, with an economic impact of over £170 million and several confirmed multi-year bookings up to 2029.

Saf comments: “I am delighted to be joining the QEII Centre at a time of investment and growth. More importantly, I am delighted to be joining an award-winning team of event professionals. I look forward to exploring new opportunities, strengthening what already works well, and ensuring that we continue to deliver exceptional value and outstanding service to our clients and stakeholders that the QEII is renowned for.”

Andy Hobart, Chair and Senior Sponsor of the QEII Conference Centre Trading Fund said: “We are delighted to welcome Saf to The QEII Centre. Saf is people oriented, able to skilfully nurture collaboration across different departments and brings proven experience of major project delivery and customer focused services.”

October 28, 2025 0 comments

Events

Great Yorkshire Events Centre Boss elected to AEV Board

by jummy84 September 23, 2025

written by jummy84

The events director of The Great Yorkshire Events Centre in Harrogate has been elected to the board of the Association of Event Venues (AEV).

Richard Moorhouse, Events Director, has joined the AEV Board for the first time.

The GYEC has long been a member of the AEV, a trade body representing venues both in the UK and internationally.

Richard said: “The Great Yorkshire Events Centre has benefitted hugely from membership of the AEV through the working groups, sharing of best practice, networking and attending the brilliant annual conference. I am honoured to have been elected to the Board and excited to bring my experience, ready to champion all member venues and help shape the future of the industry.”

Richard is Events Director at the GYEC on the Great Yorkshire Showground which runs The Halls and The Pavilions, both owned by registered charity the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

As well as running events including award dinners, weddings, conferences and trade shows throughout the year, the Showground also hosts events on its 250 acre site including its flagship event the Great Yorkshire Show. It has recently announced being used as a filming location for scenes in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.

Richard said: “It’s been an exciting year for the showground with a rebrand earlier this year and a raft of new events signed for 2026. Working with directors from other key events venues in the UK will continue to put the GYEC at the forefront of the industry and ensure we continue to fly the flag nationally.”

Following AEV’s AGM last week, Rachel Parker, AEV CEO, said, “I am delighted to welcome Richard to the board this year and am sure he will have plenty to bring to the table. I am looking forward to another productive year, starting with our annual conference being held on Friday 14 November at Excel London.”

September 23, 2025 0 comments

Events

Great Yorkshire Event Centre – filming location for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

by jummy84 September 19, 2025

written by jummy84

Organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show can reveal that the Showground in Harrogate features in the highly anticipated third Downton Abbey movie.

Hundreds of cast, crew and extras were based on the Showground where filming took place for some scenes in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.

The film was released globally with a cast that includes Hugh Bonneville (Robert Crawley) and Elizabeth McGovern (Cora Crawley).

Actor Jim Carter who plays Mr Carson told ITV This Morning that he was born in Harrogate and even learned to ride his bike at the Showground.

Scenes shot at the Showground were based on the Yorkshire County Show, set in 1930, using both permanent and temporary structures on site.

The collecting ring used by riders warming up to compete at the Great Yorkshire Show, was also used as part of the film.

The Showground’s events team who manage the venues and outdoor space throughout the year as The Great Yorkshire Events Centre, worked with the production crew to ensure it was seamless.

Allister Nixon CEO of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, a registered charity which owns the Showground said: “Our events team from the Great Yorkshire Events Centre had multiple meetings with producers to ensure we found the right location for them including access to power and co-ordinating hire of structures and signage as well as areas to store props and equipment, catering and dressing room trailers.

“Our events team here are used to dealing with film and TV crews who hire our indoor and outdoor spaces and it was a real privilege for us to host such a prestigious production.

“We are proud to be flexible and diverse to meet the requirements of film crews whether it’s within our buildings and event spaces or at any part of our 250 acre grounds. We very much look forward to seeing the film!”

All profits raised from space hired or events held on the Showground which operates the Great Yorkshire Events Centre throughout the year, goes back to the registered charity YAS to support the farming industry.

Downton abbey at the great yorkshire showground 2 — **IMAGES credit:** Rory Mulvey / © 2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

Synopsis: DOWNTON ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE, the cinematic return of the global phenomenon, follows the Crawley family and their staff as they enter the 1930s. When Mary finds herself at the centre of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble, the entire household grapples with the threat of social disgrace. The Crawley’s must embrace change as the staff prepares for a new chapter with the next generation leading Downton Abbey into the future.

Starring: Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Paul Giamatti, Penelope Wilton, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Laura Carmichael, Harry Hadden-Pato, Joanne Froggatt, Allen Leech, Robert James-Collier, Lesley Nicol, Sophie McShera, Raquel Cassidy, Kevin Doyle, Michael Fox, Dominic West, Arty Froushan, Joely Richardson, Douglas Reith

Directed by: Simon Curtis

Screenplay by: Downton creator and Academy-Award® winner Julian Fellowes

Producers: Gareth Neame, Julian Fellowes, Liz Trubridge

Executive Producers: Nigel Marchant

Credit: Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale in cinemas 12 September

September 19, 2025 0 comments

Bollywood

Heer Express Review – Warm at The Edges, Empty at The Centre

by jummy84 September 13, 2025

written by jummy84

Punjabi families in the midst of high drama, traversing the cultures and locations of Punjab and London should be declared a no-go for all filmmakers and screenwriters. How many times can the magic of Jab We Met and Queen be rehashed for the big screen? Heer Express is a sweet film, but it does commit the cardinal cinematic sin of being all-too-familiar, a little too often.

Director Umesh Shukla (who has previously made movies like 102 Not Out and Oh My God!) presents Heer Express as a clean, old-school family entertainer. The kind of movie that tugs politely at the heartstrings while serving a handful of soft laughs and life lessons. On paper it has the ingredients: an earnest newcomer, Divita Juneja playing Heer, as the likeable heroine, seasoned character actors who know how to hold a frame Sanjay Mishra, Gulshan Grover, Ashutosh Rana, and a premise that shifts from Punjab to London so you get family sentiment mixed with a fish-out-of-water vibe. Trouble is, the film mostly stays on the tracks of predictability and never builds enough steam.

Performance-wise the movie is serviceable. Divita Juneja is an exciting discovery. She’s sincere on screen and carries the film’s emotional weight better than the script deserves. Prit Kamani and Ashutosh Rana provide welcome support, and there are moments where Sanjay Mishra and Gulshan Grover quietly lift the proceedings with small, lived-in touches. Audiences seem to notice and like the lead’s warmth even if they grumble about the rest.

Where Heer Express falters is structure and stakes. One could say that the bland screenplay, cliché beats and manufactured crises neither surprise nor deepen the characters. Scenes that should land emotionally feel preordained, and the film’s attempts at comedy don’t often land, which makes the tonal shifts feel clunky rather than charming. The pacing occasionally drags, and many plot turns feel like they belong to a movie that would have been more forgivable a decade ago.

On the technical front the film is tidy but unremarkable. Competent cinematography and a safe musical palette that never quite lodges itself in memory. When a film trades on sentiment rather than invention, it needs either a razor-sharp script or an exceptionally evocative sound/visual design; Heer Express has neither.

If you love family dramas that follow a comforting, familiar blueprint and you came for performances and a gentle vibe, you’ll probably enjoy parts of it. If you want sharper writing, surprises, or something emotionally risky, this one won’t satisfy.

Bottom line is, Heer Express is a clean, well-meaning film with a capable lead and a few sweet moments, but its insistence on safe, clichéd storytelling keeps it from being memorable. Watch it if you’re in the mood for a warm, undemanding evening. Go in with low expectations and you might come out smiling.

Also Read: Heer Express Trailer: Hilarious Family Drama Introducing Debutant Divita Juneja

September 13, 2025 0 comments

Events

Abigail Pogson announced as new Barbican Centre CEO

by jummy84 September 5, 2025

written by jummy84

Chief Executive of The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Abigail Pogson, has been announced as the new CEO of the Barbican Centre, following a competitive international recruitment process. She will take up the role on Monday 5 January 2026.

Abigail brings a wealth of experience, passion, and a deep commitment to nurturing community and artistic excellence.

Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment as the Barbican enters an exciting new chapter with an ambitious Renewal programme to restore and revitalise the iconic Grade II listed venue for future generations. This coincides with a renewed artistic vision that includes seasonal, cross-arts programming and an enhanced civic focus.

Abigail’s values-led leadership and proven dedication to broadening access to the arts sits at the heart of the Centre’s vision, and will drive its work further, helping shape an inclusive, sustainable, and globally relevant Barbican.

Speaking about her new role, Abigail said:

“The Barbican is one of the world’s most iconic cultural destinations, and I’m beyond delighted to be joining at such a critical and exciting time in its history.

“I believe deeply in the power of art and creativity to enrich lives and communities, and I look forward to working with the talented team at the Barbican and its many fabulous partners to bring exceptional, relevant, and joyful cultural experiences to as many people as possible.”

Abigail’s appointment underscores the City Corporation’s goal of making the Square Mile a cultural powerhouse, and reaffirms the Barbican’s role as a global arts, conference and events leader, grounded in its communities, and committed to creativity, innovation, and access to all.

The City Corporation is the owner, founder, and principal funder of the Barbican Centre.

City of London Corporation Policy Chairman, Chris Hayward, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Abigail to the Barbican. Her track record of dynamic, inclusive leadership makes her the ideal person to lead the Centre through this new chapter and beyond.

“Her arrival comes as the Barbican Renewal programme drives forward – a landmark £191 million investment by the City Corporation to secure the Centre’s future.

“This transformation will support our Destination City ambitions by attracting new and diverse audiences to the Square Mile and reinforcing London’s reputation as a global cultural capital.”

Sir William Russell, Chair of the City Corporation’s Barbican Centre Board, added:

“Abigail’s appointment marks another big moment for the Barbican. She brings both strategic vision and a real passion for supporting artistic talent and the audiences who engage with it. I know she will lead this organisation with skill and imagination as we continue to evolve and connect.

“I give my deepest thanks to David Farnsworth, Managing Director of the City Bridge Foundation, who has served as Interim CEO of the Barbican for the past year on secondment. His inspiring leadership, warmth and tireless commitment during a period of transition have been invaluable. David has played a crucial role in strengthening the organisation and laying important foundations for its future.”

Jackie Boughton, Director of Commercial, Barbican Centre, added:

“Abigail’s appointment signals an exciting next phase for the Barbican’s commercial events offering. Under her leadership, and alongside our Renewal programme, we will elevate how brands, associations and creative businesses use our iconic venue spaces. Every event here directly supports our arts and learning programme, so the success of our commercial offering helps us welcome more people to extraordinary cultural experiences.

This announcement follows the submission of applications this summer for planning permission and listed building consent for Phase 1 of Barbican Renewal. Earlier this year the proposals for the Centre’s foyers, lakeside, catering block and conservatory received over 90% approval in public consultations. In addition to the initial investment from the City Corporation, the Centre is undertaking extensive fundraising to complete Phase 1 and beyond.

The Programme is one of several transformative projects being delivered by the City Corporation, including the Salisbury Square Development, which will house the new City of London Police HQ and multi-courts complex, and the new London Museum at Smithfield.

The City Corporation is one of the largest funders of heritage and cultural activities in the UK, investing over £130m every year. It manages a range of world-class cultural and heritage institutions, including Tower Bridge, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Guildhall Art Gallery and London’s Roman Amphitheatre, The London Archives, and Keats House.

It also supports the new London Museum and is the principal funder of the London Symphony Orchestra, based at the Barbican Centre.

September 5, 2025 0 comments

Events

The Management Centre, Bangor, Gwynedd

by jummy84 August 22, 2025

written by jummy84

Conferences & Events in North Wales

Set in the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia) with views across the Menai Strait, Bangor University provides the perfect backdrop for your next meeting, conference or corporate event.

We offer a wide choice of venues to suit every occasion – from historic halls to modern spaces. Whether it’s a private meeting for 10, a hybrid training session for 50, or a conference for up to 450 delegates, our flexible facilities ensure a seamless experience.

Rooms are equipped with excellent IT and AV facilities including projectors, screens, flipcharts, PCs, hearing loops (selected rooms), temperature control (selected rooms), natural daylight, complimentary Wi-Fi and free parking. Our dedicated events team and on-site assistants ensure every detail is taken care of.

For overnight stays, we offer a variety of accommodation options. The Management Centre provides 56 Visit Wales 4-Star guest accommodation (single, twin, double and executive). Plus, we also offer up to 750 student bedrooms (seasonal availability), ideal for large conferences or summer schools.

When it comes to food and drink, our in-house catering team provides flexible options – from private dining and executive lunches to evening meals. Guests can also enjoy a quick coffee, hearty breakfast, light lunch or supper at The Management Centre. We pride ourselves on delivering fresh, tasty food and professional service, making Bangor University great value for your event.

📞 Contact our Events Team: 01248 365912
✉️ [email protected]
🌐www.bangor.ac.uk/meet

Bangor University– where business meets inspiration.

August 22, 2025 0 comments