ASVA Celebrates 35 Years and Strengthens Leadership with Three New Members Joining the Board of Directors
Added: 11 Dec 2023
The Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA) proudly commemorates its 35th anniversary, marking three and a half decades of unwavering commitment to Scotland’s dynamic tourism sector. In conjunction with this milestone, ASVA is excited to announce the appointment of three distinguished professionals to its Board of Directors. Alex Harvie, Head of Marketing Communications & Destination Marketing at Glasgow Life, Ross McMillan, Head of Destinations at Scottish Canals and Claire Eva, Director of Audiences and Media at V&A, have joined ASVA’s esteemed Board.
The appointments were confirmed at ASVA’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday 7th December. In their respective roles, Alex, Ross, and Claire have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the tourism and cultural sectors, contributing significantly to the growth and success of their organisations. Their wealth of experience aligns seamlessly with ASVA’s mission to support and elevate visitor attractions across Scotland.
Paul Nixon, Chair of the ASVA Board and General Manager of The Real Mary King’s Close said:“As ASVA celebrates 35 years of dedication to promoting and advancing Scotland’s visitor attractions, I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to our new Board Members. Their wealth of experience and passion for our industry will undoubtedly enhance the strategic vision and dynamism of our Board.
“Together, we look forward to steering ASVA towards exciting horizons, and ensuring the continued success of Scotland’s vibrant visitor attractions. Their leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping our collective journey, and I am confident that their contributions will make a lasting impact.”
The new appointments come at an exciting time for ASVA as the organisation celebrates 35 years and approaches 300 members within the organisation, highlighting a significant milestone in its journey. Founded 35 years ago, ASVA has played a pivotal role in shaping and supporting Scotland’s tourism landscape. With nearly 300 members, ASVA has become a robust community of attractions, dedicated to fostering growth and collaboration within the industry.
As the Head of Marketing Communications and Destination Marketing at Glasgow Life, Alex Harvie plays a pivotal role in the operations of one of Scotland’s largest charities. Eight of Glasgow Life’s venues are ASVA attractions, including the award-winning Burrell Collection, Kelvingrove Art Gallery, and the Riverside Museum.
Alex Harvie, Head of Marketing Communications & Destination Marketing at Glasgow Life said: “As an enthusiastic supporter of ASVA’s mission and recognising the important role our attractions play at the heart of Scotland’s visitor economy, I look forward to supporting this wonderful organisation as a member of the Board.”
With a robust background spanning private, public, and third-sector organisations, Ross McMillan has established himself as a prominent figure in the tourism industry. His expertise lies in the commercial development of attractions, contributing to the success of ventures through strategic vision and effective capital investment.
Ross McMillan, Head of Destinations at Scottish Canals said:“I am delighted to be joining ASVA as a non-executive Board Member. ASVA is an exemplary industry body which truly reflects its values in how it represents and supports its members. I look forward to supporting the team, new and existing board colleagues and meeting many more members.”
In her role at V&A Dundee, Claire Eva leads Media and Audiences, driving initiatives in digital strategies, marketing, and communications. With a career spanning major institutions like Tate and Serpentine Galleries, Claire, a 20-year veteran in strategic marketing, passionately brings brands to life and has played a key role in putting Dundee on the global map and contributing to its reimagined waterfront development.
Claire Eva, Director of Audiences and Media at V&A Dundee said:“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the ASVA board. ASVA is an essential institution for tourism in Scotland, ensuring our talented workforce has a strong network to help us deliver outstanding experiences for every visitor. It also ensures we are united as an industry in advocating for the outstanding impact of the attractions sector in Scotland.”
The addition of Alex, Ross, and Claire to the Board of Directors further strengthens ASVA’s commitment to providing valuable resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy for its expanding membership. Their diverse backgrounds in marketing, audience engagement, and destination management promise a dynamic and innovative approach to advancing ASVA’s mission. The association eagerly looks forward to benefiting from their leadership as it continues to shape Scotland’s vibrant visitor attractions landscape.