Experience Oxfordshire appoints Joanna Simons as new Chair of Board

Experience Oxfordshire, the Destination Management Organisation for the County, has announced the appointment of Joanna Simons CBE as the new Chair of the Board of Directors, who replaces the current Chair Professor Graham Upton who has held the position for the past five years.

Joanna Simons brings a wealth of experience to the Experience Oxfordshire Board, having previously held Trustee and Director positions in a number of public sector companies, and more recently as the Chief Executive of Oxfordshire County Council. Joanna has been recognised for her Services to Local Government by being appointed a CBE in 2011. Following this, Joanna received an Honorary Doctorate from Oxford Brookes University in 2014, following her position as Chair of Governors at the University from 2008-2012.

Commenting on her appointment as the new Chair of Experience Oxfordshire, Joanna Simons said: “Having spent significant time as Chief Executive at Oxfordshire County Council, I have seen the vital work that Experience Oxfordshire does for the visitor economy, and I am delighted to now join Experience Oxfordshire as Chair of the Board. I am very much looking forward to leading the Board, helping to promote the wonderful place that Oxfordshire is to work, visit and live in.”

Graham Upton, former Chair of Experience Oxfordshire commented: “Working with Experience Oxfordshire as Chair of the Board for the last five years has been an honour. It has been fantastic to see the organisation grow from strength to strength. Joanna’s appointment as the new Chair brings a wealth of experience to the organisation that I am sure will only continue to help Experience Oxfordshire flourish as a leading Destination Management Organisation.”

Board members of Experience Oxfordshire are integral to the organisation, contributing valuable experience and expertise from all sectors of the local business community on a voluntary basis. Their invaluable support enables the company to continue to flourish as a leading Destination Management Organisation as it grows and develops the visitor economy in Oxfordshire.

ENDS

For more information contact:
Kathryn Manning
Phone: 01865 686434
Email: kathryn.manning@experienceoxfordshire.org / press@experienceoxfordshire.org

NOTES TO THE EDITOR:
Experience Oxfordshire is the Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for Oxfordshire. We are a not-for-profit partnership organisation committed to the promotion, management and development of Oxfordshire as a great destination to live, work, visit and do business. We have a growing partnership network of businesses spanning all parts of the visitor economy, and through effective collaboration we are all working to ensure Oxfordshire becomes a leading destination for tourism, culture and business.
www.experienceoxfordshire.org