The Meetings Industry Association (MIA) has appointed Shonali Devereaux as its new chief executive, taking over from Kerrin MacPhie when she stands down in December.
Devereaux, who has a wealth of experience working across the business meetings and events sector, will commence the role on 26 November.
Her CV includes 30 years’ experience working on high-profile events, including the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, 20 years in senior leadership, and on boards, including as vice-chair of the Tourism Alliance and as a volunteer with industry mentorship scheme Fast Forward 15 and industry foundation Meeting Needs.
She is currently a lecturer in Events Management and Tourism, emcee and keynote speaker at leading industry events. Devereaux impressed the board with her enthusiasm and strong strategic vision for the MIA.
Shonali Devereaux said: “I am incredibly passionate about the business meetings and events industry. It is the best industry in the world to work in and it will be a privilege to be able to further raise its profile as CEO of the MIA.
“Everything that I have done in collaboration has always been better than I could have envisaged on my own. This is why it is exciting to lead a membership organisation that not only promotes excellence but seeks to forge strong relationships between and beyond its members.”
She added: “I’m looking forward to delivering the vision of the MIA - to help business meetings and events in the UK to be the best in class - through creating a diverse and inclusive membership, promoting and sharing best practice, delivering a strong accreditation programme, and raising the profile of our sector with key stakeholders.”
Kerrin MacPhie, chief executive of the MIA, said: “Serving as the chief executive of the MIA has been a true privilege. Over the past three years, I am proud of the positive changes we have achieved under my leadership. With Shonali's passion, expertise, and deep understanding of the sector, I am confident she will continue to guide the MIA towards realising its strategic goals, while championing the broader business meetings and events industry."
Charles Sargeant, chair of the MIA board, said: “We are thrilled that Shonali has accepted the role as chief executive of the MIA as her experience and enthusiasm for both the association and the business meetings sector is very apparent. The board were extremely impressed by her five-point strategy to further grow and deliver a first-class membership experience while ensuring that the economic contribution of the sector is recognised by government.”
He added: “We are extremely grateful to Kerrin for her expert leadership and the instrumental role she has played reinvigorating and strengthening the value that the MIA offers to both our members and the wider community. During her tenure she has expertly driven change implementing impactful initiatives to push the sector to the forefront of the government’s agenda while developing a highly motivated team who, under Shonali’s leadership, will take the newly refreshed MIA to new heights.”