Manchester Central appoints Lori Hoinkes as CEO

UK exhibition and conference centre Manchester Central has announced that Lori Hoinkes will succeed Shaun Hinds as CEO. Hoinkes was most recently chief growth officer at independent exhibition organiser Montgomery Group. Prior to Montgomery, Hoinkes worked alongside the Mayor of London on the city’s largest regeneration project, leading strategy and delivery for the Park Royal Industrial Area as part of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC). Hoinkes will join Manchester Central in May. She will also oversee the development of the new Junction restaurant, cafe, bar and social workspace due to open later this year. Earlier this year, Hinds announced he would be stepping down from his role as chief executive, following seven years in the post to take the post of chief executive at Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire. Hoinkes said: “My immediate goal is to build on the solid foundation laid by my predecessor, ensuring a smooth transition that maintains our commitment to excellence in hosting world-class events. “We are at a critical juncture as we look to not only continue welcoming visitors from across the globe but also to innovate and set new benchmarks for the industry. I am eager to work with the team, our partners, and the community to propel Manchester Central to even greater heights.”

  Manchester Central welcomes almost half a million visitors each year and contributes £150 million to the regional economy. The venue reported record-breaking financial figures in the past year. Councillor John Hacking, Manchester Central board director, said: “We have been impressed by Lori’s experience and tenacity and look forward to welcoming her as she takes the helm at Manchester Central. Her ability to lead teams through periods of significant growth and change is exemplary, making her an ideal leader for the venue as it continues to evolve and adapt in an ever-changing global landscape. “With the global spotlight firmly on Greater Manchester, the city-region is firmly positioning itself as a national leader in economic growth and incoming investment, and the year ahead is an extremely exciting time for the venue. Our forecasts predict over half a million visitors and an upsurge in events, once again showcasing Manchester Central as a leading venue on the global events stage.”