First chair appointed to lead new Northamptonshire wide visitor partnership

03 December 2024

The development of the new Northamptonshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) has taken a major step forward as Richard Clinton, Delapre Abbey’s Chief Executive, has been appointed as Chair of the new LVEP.

The LVEP for Northamptonshire brings together partners from across the sector as well as both North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire with the aim to strengthen and build on the area’s visitor economy.

Following a recruitment campaign, candidates were interviewed by a panel including representatives from North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council and sector stakeholders with Richard being identified as the most suitable candidate to lead the new partnership through the next phase of its creation, which includes the key next stage of the process - the submission of the LVEP application to Visit England. This application is due to be submitted imminently with a decision expected in the early part of 2025. If approved and Northamptonshire gains LVEP status, the area would receive national accreditation and a boost to the area’s tourism offer and unlock new opportunities.

“Richard’s wealth of experience and dedication to promoting the region’s attractions make him the perfect choice to lead this important initiative and we welcome him as Chair of the Northamptonshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership.

“The LVEP represents an incredible opportunity to highlight Northamptonshire’s unique offerings, from its rich heritage and world-class motorsports to its thriving arts and cultural scene. With Richard’s leadership, we’re confident this partnership will strengthen collaboration across the sector, elevate the county’s profile, and attract more visitors, creating lasting benefits for our local businesses and communities.”Cllr Helen Howell, NNC Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Sport, Leisure, Culture and Tourism alongside Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at WNC

Richard has been the Chief Executive of Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust since April 2020, where he oversees the strategic direction of the historic 900-year-old Delapré Abbey in Northampton. Under his leadership, the Trust has aligned heritage, culture, and wellbeing to benefit the community, including plans to restore and repurpose the 19th-century stables into a mixed-use development featuring a community wellbeing space. Richard is also the Chair of Fermynwoods Contemporary Art - an educational charity that supports life through art by commissioning innovative ways for artists to engage with audiences.

Prior to his role at Delapré Abbey, Richard served as part of the leadership teams for The Culture Trust and Royal & Derngate Theatre. Richard has also been the Vice Chair for Northamptonshire Surprise, supporting its efforts in promoting the heritage, culture, and attractions of Northamptonshire, positioning it as an attractive visitor destination.

Richard will now oversee the creation of the new Northamptonshire LVEP with responsibilities including:

• Overseeing the implementation of the comprehensive Northamptonshire Tourism Strategy.
• Collaborating with local and national stakeholders to promote Northamptonshire's attractions.
• Enhancing marketing efforts to raise the region’s profile.
• Supporting local businesses in maximizing the benefits of tourism.
• Ensuring sustainable growth of the visitor economy through innovative practices.

“I am truly honoured to be appointed as the first Chair of the Northamptonshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership. This is an exciting opportunity to bring together the incredible diversity of our hospitality, heritage, culture, and attractions that Northamptonshire has to offer, alongside the passion and expertise of our partners.

“I am aware of the challenges that operators in the visitor economy are facing, from rising costs to the evolving expectations of visitors. Through the LVEP, we have an opportunity to amplify the voice of the sector and collectively address these challenges in partnership. The LVEP along with its partners has the opportunity to provide the support, and advocacy needed to help businesses in the sector thrive.

“There is a clear vision to build a vibrant, sustainable visitor economy that showcases Northamptonshire as a destination of choice for both national and international audiences, delivering real benefits for businesses and those living in Northamptonshire.”Richard Clinton, The new LVEP Chair

“Following a thorough and systematic search and evaluation process, Richard Clinton’s appointment as Chair to the new Northamptonshire LVEP is entirely well deserved. In his role as CEO of Delapré Abbey he has evidenced his ability to drive success at an attraction that has become a lynchpin of the local visitor economy, and his deep understanding of the county’s tourism-related opportunities and challenges makes him very much the best person for this critical role.

“The visitor economy is an important growth sector for Northamptonshire and success will only be achieved by leveraging the attributes of multiple stakeholders. I have no doubt that Richard is superbly well qualified to harness the county’s many talents and assets in this effort.”Phil Lawrie, Chief Executive Officer of Silverstone Museum