The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events (APPG) has confirmed Martin Rhodes, Labour MP for Glasgow North as its new Chair following its Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on Wednesday 3rd December at Portcullis House, Westminster.
As well as representing Glasgow North, Martin Rhodes MP serves on several committees within the House of Commons including the Environmental Audit Committee, Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill and Space Industry (Indemnities) Bill. His appointment will strengthen the Group’s work to ensure the continued recognition and support of the UK’s events sector across Parliament and Westminster.
In addition, both James Asser, Labour MP for West Ham and Beckton and Douglas McAllister, Labour MP for West Dunbartonshire were both nominated and elected as Officers of the group. They will join Jack Rankin, Conservative MP for Windsor, in driving the direction and decisions of the APPG for Events alongside the group’s Chair.
A spokesperson for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events said: “We are delighted to welcome Martin Rhodes MP as Chair and both James Asser MP and Douglas McAllister MP as Officers of the Group. All three bring a deep understanding of the importance of the events sector to the UK’s economy and communities, and their commitment will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen the industry’s voice in Parliament.
“We look forward to working with them to ensure that the events sector receives the recognition and support it deserves for its role in driving growth, encouraging innovation, and connecting people across the UK and beyond.”
Discussing his appointment, Martin Rhodes MP said: “I am honoured to have been elected Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Events, and look forward to working with my fellow Officers, and my colleagues in Parliament, to continue to give a voice to our world leading events industry.
“Over the coming weeks, I will be working with the team from The Business of Events, to update our programme to ensure that going forward, we provide the level of engagement and support that this sector both needs and deserves.”
The EGM was chaired by Independent Chair Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath. The election was triggered by the resignation of the previous Chair, Shaun Davies MP, following his appointment as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Secretary of State for Defence. Under parliamentary rules, Government members cannot chair an APPG.
PR & Communications agency Davies Tanner, through its The Business of Events Think Tank and Advocacy Network, manages the APPG for Events and acts as a Special Advisor to the group.
