CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
If there’s one thing our in-house teams love, it’s being challenged. To be expected to deliver the impossible. That’s because the one place you’ll never find our experts is relaxing in their comfort zone.
Instead, you’ll find them firing questions at organisers to unlock those precious nuggets of insight that will enable them to deliver an event that’s smashes expectations and defies convention. After all, it’s much more fun to innovate than imitate. We’re approachable and accountable too, a partner you can trust to keep promises and deliver results, whatever the size of the event.
Another key ingredient we offer is experience. And lots of it. It’s why you’ll often find the same familiar faces on your delivery team. Trusted collaborators who not only understand your business, but know how to deliver success. Of course, it’s not just our seasoned pros you’ll have access to, as we’re always keen to get our new talent involved on projects where we believe a fresh perspective could make all the difference. Common sense really.
Senior Management
Andy Gibb
Managing Director – Conventions
Andy Gibb
Managing Director – Conventions
Andy joins from Stadium MK, where he was Group Sales and Marketing Director for nearly seven years.
Andy joined the NEC Group in 2024, his role is to lead the Conventions and Conference division of the business based across ICC Birmingham, NEC Birmingham, and the Vox Conference Venue. Andy's role is to attract domestic and international conventions to the venues and also to deliver a best-in-class experience to visitors.
Prior to Andy’s role at Stadium MK, he was a Managing Director at the Ricoh Arena and Commercial Director at GES. Through these roles he brings with him significant experience in delivering conventions, exhibitions and conferences, as well as live music and sporting events.
Allan Boyle
General Manager - NEC Group Conventions
Allan Boyle
General Manager - NEC Group Conventions
As NEC Group Conventions General Manager, Allan leads on all venue and event operations at the ICC and Vox, whilst also managing conference business at the NEC.
Facilitating an ambitious growth strategy for conventions across the venues, his innovative focus continues to push the boundaries of event delivery.
Allan’s previous position with the Group, from 2014-2019, was Director of Event Services of the Group Convention Centres. During that time, Allan significantly progressed event processes at the ICC and was heavily involved in the mobilisation and development of the Vox, which opened in 2015. This position had further dual responsibility, handling operations not only at the ICC and Vox, but also The Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) - which was under the successful management of the Group between 2014-2016.
Prior to his recent positions in Birmingham, Allan held the Catering Director role at the then newly built CCD, where he was tasked with setting up the catering contract and hospitality function. He was promoted into the role of Events Operations Director in 2010 to oversee the full operational delivery of the business.
Allan joined the CCD from the ICC, where over a 14-year period from 1995, he held a variety of positions, acquiring vast and in-depth knowledge about the venue, the region and the events industry.
Craig Hancox
General Manager - ICC Catering
Craig Hancox
General Manager - ICC Catering
Craig is the General Manager of Amadeus Catering at the ICC, responsible for leading the catering team and maintaining the highest standard of delivery and food safety. He joined the group in 2004 as Catering Operations Manager.
Craig has vast experience in delivering outstanding conference and banqueting, and during his time with the Group has led the mobilisation of the catering operation at the Vox upon its opening in 2015, as well as being a vital support in his role as mentor to Amadeus colleagues at the Belfast Waterfront Conference Centre.
Before joining the ICC team, Craig oversaw catering at Highfield Road Stadium, where Coventry City Football Club had great success in the FA Premier League.
Ed Grice
Divisional Finance Director – Conventions & Exhibitions
Ed Grice
Divisional Finance Director – Conventions & Exhibitions
Ed has been with the NEC Group since 2012, joining initially as Commercial Finance Manager for the NEC.
He is a Chartered Accountant with over 15 years post-qualified experience having qualified with PwC in Nottingham, and has previously worked in the leisure sector for Punch Taverns Plc.
In his current role as Divisional Finance Director, Ed is now responsible for the combined commercial finance team across the NEC, ICC and Vox. Ed works in partnership with the Managing Director and senior management teams, providing leadership in the development of strategy and financial plans to deliver on strategic objectives.