NABMA Announce new CEO

We are pleased to announce that Hilary Paxman has been appointed to succeed Graham Wilson as the Chief Executive of NABMA.

Hilary joins us following a long career in the Civil Service, employed first at the heart of Government in the Cabinet Office where she worked closely with Ministers on key policy challenges of the day, including social exclusion, better regulation and the legislative programme.

She joined the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2001, and since 2008 has been working on local economic growth issues, including leading on the Government’s response to the Select Committee report on markets in 2009. That included the formation of the Retail Markets Forum, which Hilary led and which has continued to meet regularly since then.

Hilary also helped deliver the Government response to the Portas Review into the Future of the High Street, working closely with NABMA on the development and delivery of the “Love Your Local Market” campaigns since 2012. Hilary most recently led the team which delivered the Great British High Street competitions, one of Government’s current most successful low-cost schemes to promote best practice in town centre regeneration.

Hilary will be conducting a strategic review of NABMA following her appointment, which is due to commence on the 1st June, and would welcome any comments or suggestions from NABMA members. Hilary will take over as Chief Executive at the September Conference. Graham will continue as Legal and Policy Advisor from September and support Hilary as appropriate.

Hilary said of her appointment “I am delighted to be joining NABMA in June, and assuming the role of CEO at the NABMA annual conference at Stratford Upon Avon in September.

I have seen what an important role NABMA plays supporting markets in both the public and private sector, and am delighted to be part of the team that provides such a wide range of support that will help markets continue to be a key part of local economies and communities.

I will be undertaking a strategic review of NABMA when I join, and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible as part of that, and in future”.

NABMA President, Chris Rosling-Josephs said “I am delighted with Hilary’s appointment and look forward to working with her in the coming months. I am sure she will bring a new dimension to the role and help us to continue the excellent support we provide to our members”.