Bob Prattey joined ACC Liverpool, which comprises the Liverpool waterfront convention centre, exhibition centre and M&S Bank Arena, in 2005, three years before it opened. Tony McDonough reports

Bob Prattey is to step down as chief executive of the The ACC Liverpool Group after 16 years at the helm.

Mr Prattey, who has become one of the best known faces in Liverpool’s business community, was appointed to the run ACC, which comprises the waterfront convention centre, exhibition centre and M&S Bank Arena, in 2005, three years before it opened.

Since it began operations in 2008 – Liverpool’s Capital of Culture Year – ACC has hosted more than 3,000 events and welcomed more than 8m visitors. It has also added the Pullman Hotel to its portfolio. It is estimated the economic impact for the city during that time has been worth around £2bn.

Stepping down from the Liverpool City Council-owned ACC in March, Mr Prattey’s legacy will be a facility that has played a key role in Liverpool’s economic renaissance and further enhanced the city’s reputation as a leading visitor destination.

He said: “I have had time to reflect over the past 12 months and this feels like the right moment for both me personally and for the company to step aside and pass on the baton of leadership.

“While the last 12 months have undoubtedly been the hardest for all businesses in the events industry, I have been proud to lead the team through this unprecedented period.

“I have been amazed but not surprised by the resilience and determination shown by my team here at The ACC Liverpool Group, as well as our clients across all sectors and the entire industry, which has come together like never before.”

Max Steinberg, chair of The ACC Liverpool Group, said: “I have known Bob for more than 15 years and have had the privilege of working with him during my time as chief executive of Liverpool Vision, as chair of the International Business Festivals and finally in my current role as chair of The ACC Liverpool Group.

“I have always admired him for his passion, tenacity and shrewd decision-making, something which I have experienced first-hand over the last two years since joining The ACC Liverpool Group. My admiration for him has only grown as I have witnessed just how much he cares for his staff, his clients and for this city.”

Faye Dyer will take up the role of interim managing director from April 1, 2021, and will be responsible for leading the business through the COVID-19 recovery phase, alongside events and operations director, Kerry Mulloy, and commercial director, Ben Williams.

She joined The ACC Liverpool Group in 2019 as corporate services director and deputy chief executive following eight years at Manchester Central, where she most recently held posts as chief financial officer and deputy chief executive.

“I am looking forward to taking up my position as interim managing director in April and leading The ACC Liverpool Group through our COVID-19 recovery plans as this remarkable industry gets back on its feet,” said Ms Dyer.

“We have a strong and committed senior leadership team and I am honoured to have been entrusted with Bob’s legacy and to lead the team alongside Kerry and Ben through this next phase.”