About us

Executive board

Marketing Birmingham is led from the front with inspiring leadership and genuine expertise. Our Executive Board is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day performance of Marketing Birmingham, managing our creative campaigns and forging high-level partnerships. Find out more about who’s responsible for taking us forward.

 

 

Neil Rami, Chief Executive
Neil Rami was appointed Chief Executive of Marketing Birmingham in October 2004. Having begun his career in regeneration in Cheshire before moving on to develop the tourism and marketing strategies for the City of Liverpool and Merseyside, he went on to lead the Newcastle-Gateshead Initiative - an award winning destination marketing agency which helped to transform the perceptions and fortunes of the North East.

 

 

 

Dave Hodgson, Marketing Director
Prior to joining Marketing Birmingham to take control of our lifestyle campaigns and PR activity, Dave was Head of Business Development at TUI UK and was responsible for brand strategy. While at TUI, he oversaw the biggest re-branding exercise in the travel industry, involving the repositioning of Lunn Poly, Britannia and Thomson. He was also responsible for the launch of Thomsonfly.com airline.

 

 

 

Ian Taylor, Commercial Director
Ian is responsible for all of Marketing Birmingham’s commercial activity, including our Champions initiative and Commercial Membership. Ian was previously Commercial Director of Newcastle-Gateshead Initiative where he developed new business opportunities and grew the city’s conference market from £15m in 2002 to £100m in 2005. Prior to his time at Newcastle-Gateshead, he was Head of Conferences and Events at Emap Retail.

 

 

 

Tim Manson, Director of Operations and Policy
As Operations and Policy Director, Tim oversees the smooth running of Marketing Birmingham. For eight years, he was Assistant Director of Tourism and Culture at Conwy County Borough Council, achieving Tourism Growth Area Status for two regions within the area. Formerly Head of Leisure Tourism at Birmingham City Council, he has recently been appointed to the Advisory Board of Tourism West Midlands.