Events and tourism industry leaders have reacted with concern to job cuts within VisitBritain’s business events team, warning the move risks undermining one of the UK’s most valuable yet consistently overlooked sectors.
The restructuring, which is understood to affect a large proportion of VisitBritain’s business events operation and sees the departure of business events director Paul Black, comes just weeks after new global research highlighted the growing economic significance of business events.
According to the Events Industry Council’s latest Global Economic Significance of Business Events study, business events generated US$1.3 trillion in direct spending worldwide in 2025 and now exceeds industries including aerospace and air transport in direct economic impact.
Against that backdrop, the decision has prompted questions about why support for business events is being reduced at a time when destinations around the world are increasing investment in the sector.
Growing sector, shrinking support
According to VisitBritain’s own figures, international business events generated approximately £2.8 billion of inbound visitor spend in 2024.
Yet reports suggest the tourism agency’s business events team is facing significant reductions as part of a wider organisational restructuring following government funding cuts announced last year, raising questions about how the UK will continue to compete against destinations investing heavily in attracting international events.
Paul Black’s departure is particularly significant. Black confirmed on LinkedIn that he would be leaving VisitBritain after almost five years with the organisation. During his tenure, VisitBritain’s business events team played a key role in promoting the UK internationally and supporting bids for major conferences, congresses and incentive programmes.
Industry reacts
beam and the Meetings Industry Association (mia) have both voiced concerns over the decision.
David Tremmil, chair of beam, said the cuts come “at a time when the sector requires greater strategic support, investment and representation at government level — not less”.
He warned that reducing dedicated support for business events risks weakening the UK’s competitiveness at a time when other destinations continue to invest heavily in attracting international events and delegates.
“Business events are not simply tourism; they drive investment, create commercial opportunities, support regional economies and showcase UK expertise internationally,” he said.
Shonali Devereaux, CEO of the Meetings Industry Association, echoed those concerns, noting that while the UK currently ranks fifth globally for international association meetings, maintaining that position will become increasingly difficult without continued strategic support.
A question of priorities
The debate highlights a challenge the business events sector has faced for years: despite repeatedly demonstrating its economic value, it still isn’t viewed as a driver of trade, investment, innovation and economic growth.
The concern is not simply about fewer people promoting the UK overseas. It is what the decision signals about the government’s understanding of a sector that plays a critical role in attracting investment, supporting regional economies and showcasing British expertise on the global stage.