Our Chairman: Richard Harrison

Richard Harrison became the Chair of Conference Centres of Excellence in September 2010.

Richard joined Warwick Conferences in June 2006. He has overall responsibility for the Scarman operation, including the meeting and exceeding of financial and guest satisfaction targets and the effectiveness of its ongoing investment programme. The centre, which has 54 meeting rooms and 204 bedrooms, currently holds the ‘Best UK Management Training Centre’ and ‘Best Value for Money Conference Centre’ gold titles in the annual Meetings & Incentive Travel awards.

Richard Harrison becomes Chair at a critical time for the meetings venue sector, but believes that the place of specialist conference and training centres is being reinforced by current trends. “In times of pressure, organisations want to maximise the effectiveness of their workforce through training and team building, and dedicated centres optimise that process,” said Richard: “At the same time, specialised venues enable organisers of all kinds to demonstrate their determination to create cost-effective, fully focused events, which is now more critical then ever. I look forward to helping the consortium to communicate these benefits.”

Meet the Team: Executive Director Anthony Lishman

CCE has appointed Anthony Lishman as Executive Director. This is a new, full time position designed to help the consortium grow through a process of raising its sector profile and achieving a progressive increase in membership.

Most recently he was regional general manager for the Niche Hotel group, based at its Cotswolds venue Wyck Hill House, where he was responsible for a £3 million investment to expand bedroom capacity and extend conference and leisure facilities, and for developing new business.

Previously he managed his own executive search and business consultancy, specialising in the conference centre and hospitality sectors. This followed a nine year career with Initial Style conferences (now De Vere Venues), including a period as multi site general manager with specific responsibility for the development of the group’s Wychwood Park and Cheadle House conference and training centres in Cheshire. He successfully managed the projects to develop both venues from greenfield sites to fully operational businesses with multi million pound turnovers. His previous roles with Initial Style included general manager positions at two Buckinghamshire venues, Uplands in High Wycombe and Harben House in Newport Pagnell.

Our people: Sophie

Sophie Gibson is our Marketing Executive

Sophie graduated from The Nottingham Trent University in 2008 with a 2:1 BA Hons in Business Studies and Marketing.

Her four year degree included a year in industry where she worked at Panasonic, which she felt was invaluable marketing experience alongside the course theory. Sophie then worked for IDS Scheer as Marketing Executive for 18 months where she managed a variety of campaigns and gained a broad range of skills and knowledge in all areas of the marketing mix. Within this position she managed and executed the company’s annual conference, which made her realise she had an interest in the conference and meeting industry and a passion for exceptional quality and high levels of service.

Sophie then spent a year in Australia, where she spent time working at Janssen-Cilag and Queensland Gas Corporation to fund her travelling before returning to the UK to focus on her career. Sophie will be responsible for all Marketing activities in line with the overall Marketing plan.

Meet our Hotline Team: Katharine

Katharine Armstrong is our Hotline Sales Manager

Katharine will be responsible for generating new business and developing the existing client portfolio within CCE. Working closely with key accounts to find them the solution that most accurately meets their needs.

Meet our Hotline Team: Rebecca

Rebecca White - Business Development Executive

Rebecca graduated from De Montfort University in 2009 with a 2:1 BA Hons in Dance and Arts Management.

Whilst studying an events management module on the course in her final year she became interested in perusing the events and hospitality side into greater depth. This led her to gain the opportunity to work as an Administrator for Conference Centres of Excellence upon graduating.

Rebecca has developed her role within the company and succeeded to the position of Enquiry Co-ordinator and is now progressing into the role of Business Development Executive.

Rebecca will be responsible for generating new business, growing the existing client basis and developing relationships with small to medium agents.

Meet our Hotline Team: Pauline

Pauline Saunders is our Enquiry Co-ordinator

Pauline graduated from University College Birmingham with a 2:1 degree in Events Management. This degree gave her knowledge and understanding of the industry and encouraged her to pursue a career in this sector.

After university Pauline spent a year working in Australia and travelling Fiji and New Zealand, when she returned to the UK she worked at Ardencote Manor Hotel before joining the team at Conference Centres of Excellence as enquiry co-ordinator.

Start your 'Olympic' year with a meeting warm up!

For any new meeting booked to take place in January or February with Henley Conferences, the following special rates will apply

Residential rate - £165.00 - normally £175.00 per person

Day Delegate Rate - £55.00 - normally £65.00 per person

Based on a minimum of 10 delegates

Quote 'January Warm Up Rate' at the time of booking.


Call 0845 230 1414 or email info@cceonline.co.uk for more details