ASVA Appoints Michael Golding as New CEO
Added: 11 Jul 2023
ASVA is delighted to announce the appointment of Michael Golding as its new CEO. Michael takes over the role from outgoing CEO Gordon Morrison.
Michael brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. He has spent the last four years as CEO of Visit Inverness Loch Ness (VILN), the UK’s first Tourism Business Improvement District, representing 500 tourism business members from 33 sectors across 1200 square miles. Under his leadership VILN became the UK’s first carbon-neutral BID and has won multiple awards including the UKInbound DMO of the Year in 2022 and, this year, the prestigious ITB Earth Award for global leadership in sustainable tourism.
Michael also sits on a number of key tourism industry groups including the Scottish Tourism Alliance Executive Board and the Tourism & Hospitality Industry Leadership Group. He has also enjoyed a long and successful association with the largest charity in the highlands, High Life Highland, currently serving as Vice-Chair.
Prior to joining VILN, Michael held senior management positions within the activities and health & wellbeing sectors.
On Michael’s appointment as CEO, Paul Nixon, ASVA Chair, said,“Michael is an established and influential figure in Scottish Tourism with a proven track record of inspirational leadership within a membership setting. He will be a terrific ambassador for ASVA and the wider attractions sector and will continue to lead with the same passion, dedication, professionalism and expertise that we have enjoyed for the last five years under Gordon’s stewardship.”
On accepting the position, Michael said,“I am delighted to be joining ASVA at a key time for Scottish visitor attractions. My aim is to ensure we provide the greatest value for ASVA members and deliver the vision, to support and inspire Scottish visitor attractions to deliver outstanding experiences for each and every visitor. I look forward to meeting the diverse membership across Scotland and working together to see this vision realised.”
Michael will take up his new role on Monday 14th August 2023.