Andrew Stokes, chief executive, Marketing Manchester

Andrew Stokes joined Marketing Manchester in 1999, as director of destination marketing and became chief executive in November 2001. 

Originally from London, Andrew studied in Liverpool and began his career in the theatre sector, at The Liverpool Playhouse and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society.  This was followed by a move back to London to the Royal Albert Hall and later appointment as director of sales and marketing for the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Andrew is chairman of Manchester Pride (one of the city’s six pillar events) and a board member of Manchester International Festival, CityCo Ltd, Manchester Central (the city’s international convention and exhibition centre) and Piccadilly Partnership.

Andrew was chairman of Cultureshock, the award-winning multi-arts festival that surrounded the XVII Commonwealth Games in 2002.

Andrew lives in Chorlton, Manchester and enjoys spending time at the cottage he restored on the west coast of Ireland.

Paul Simpson, managing director, Visit Manchester

Paul Simpson joined Marketing Manchester in 1998 as director of finance and operations.

Since 2002 he has also held the post of deputy chief executive and when Visit Manchester was created in January 2008, as a division of Marketing Manchester, Paul took on the role of managing director. 

A qualified accountant for over 20 years, Paul has worked in a number of sectors before joining Marketing Manchester. These include training, newsprint manufacturing and financial services.

Paul is a trustee for Street to Stadium - a Manchester based charity helping to provide young people with opportunities through sport in the local community.

Living on the Wirral, Paul is married with four children.