VisitAberdeenshire appoints new CEO

The board of VisitAberdeenshire, the destination management organisation for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, has confirmed the appointment of Chris Foy as its new chief executive officer.

Chris joins VisitAberdeenshire from VisitBritain, the national tourism organisation for Great Britain, and brings over 25 years of tourism industry experience to the position, having also held positions at the former London Tourist Board, London Development Agency, and in the heritage attractions sector.

During Chris’ time at VisitBritain, Scottish tourism has been integral to his roles. As head of Visit Britain’s 2012 Games unit, Chris led the implementation of a strategy to spread the tourism benefits of the Games to the whole of the UK, and after the Olympics, Chris led Visit Britain’s overseas network operations, before moving to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to work on the UK Government’s GREAT Britain campaign. Returning to Visit Britain in 2015 as head of nations and regions, his brief included leadership of the GREAT Inverness Loch Ness Fund.

In his most recent role as head of business events, Chris has created and implemented a strategy to sell the UK as a business event destination, primarily to American and European markets. Through this role, Chris has dealt with a range of business events across Scotland.

Colin Crosby, VisitAberdeenshire chairman said, “Chris brings a wealth of tourism experience to the role from both a strategic and operational focus, which is vital if VisitAberdeenshire is to continue to position the region as a top leisure and business tourism destination. Chris’s excellent leadership skills, and his credentials as a high-level tourism strategist, will further strengthen the VisitAberdeenshire team. I am delighted with Chris’s appointment and look forward to him leading the team at VisitAberdeenshire in his new role as the chief executive officer.”

Chris will be in position as the chief executive officer at the beginning of August 2017.