Operator of Exhibition Centre Liverpool and the M&S Bank Arena, ACC Liverpool. has appointed three new non-executive directors including the former editor of the Liverpool Echo. Tony McDonough reports

Former Liverpool Echo editor Alastair Machray is one of three new independent non-executive directors on the board at ACC Liverpool.

Owned by Liverpool City Council, ACC Liverpool includes Exhibition Centre Liverpool and the M&S Bank Arena and is now rebuilding its business with the return of events as the UK emerges from its third COVID-19 lockdown.

Mr Machray retired from Echo publisher Reach in July 2020 after editing newspapers for the company for 25 years, making him on the country’s longest-serving editors. As well as the Echo he also edited both the Liverpool Daily Post and its North Wales counterpart.

“The ACC Liverpool Group operates one of the most iconic events campuses in the UK,” said Mr Machray. “And is important to so many people in Liverpool and across the region as a place where everyone can come together to enjoy themselves and to do business.

“I’ve been a proud supporter since it opened in 2008 and to be appointed as a non-executive independent director is an absolute privilege.”

He will be joined as a non-executive director by Alexandra Cousins and Jon Corner. Ms Cousins provides business development consultancy to public, corporate, SMEs and third sector organisations.

Mr Corner has grown digital marketing and communications businesses, specialising in strategic leadership in digital policy, strategy and transformation for public and private organisations.

Over the past 15 months, ACC Liverpool has played a key role in Liverpool’s pandemic response and recovery planning, operating its venues as a food and PPE distribution centre and as a COVID-19 smart testing site.

It also recently hosted the UK’s first conference as part of the government’s Events Research Programme – a science-led initiative to get audiences back safely as restrictions are gradually eased.

Max Steinberg, chair of The ACC Liverpool Group, added: “Each director has a wealth of experience across many different facets of business and we are confident that they will add strength and expertise to our existing board, supporting the strategic direction of our organisation.”