Blackpool News

THE Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has appointed Nick Brooks-Sykes as director of tourism.

Mr Brooks-Sykes is currently head of tourism marketing at the NWDA, a position which he has held since the NWDA became the strategic lead for tourism in the Northwest in 2004.

He has over twenty years of experience in the Northwest tourism sector, having previously held senior management roles at the North West Tourist Board.

In his new role, Mr Brooks-Sykes will guide the agency’s tourism policy in areas such as skills development, infrastructure and business tourism and will oversee NWDA investments into tourism programmes including Blackpool’s revival.

In addition, he will be responsible for ensuring the region’s tourism industry offers quality, distinctiveness and value for money and that the visitor economy continues to grow and develop.

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, said:”I am delighted that Nick has been appointed to this position. He has already proved to be a great asset for the Agency and has built strong and successful relationships with our tourism partners across the region and the UK. Tourism is a very important growth industry in the Northwest and I am confident that Nick is the right person to lead the region’s visitor economy.”

Mr Brooks- Sykes, who will take up his new role on June 29, replaces James Berresford who leaves the NWDA to become chief executive of VisitEngland.