We are happy to announce the appointment of Cheryl Busby (Clarion Events) and Rajeshree Pragji (QEII Centre) as the chair and vice-chair of the Event Industry HR Group.

The cross-association group was created last year and is responsible for capturing and defining member wants and needs within the human resources sector, all of which are shared, discussed and tackled as a collective. The group is comprised of members of the AEV, the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA), the Association of Event Organiser (AEO) and event industry HR professionals. Busby and Pragji will assume their responsibilities when the group next meets in October.

Busby said: "I am delighted to be the new chair of the Event Industry HR Group. Trevor Foley will be a very tough act to follow and I want to thank him for building and supporting this group with his inclusive and open style. Thankfully Raj Pragji from QEII will be on hand to help fill Trevor’s big boots as our vice-chair.

"I have been a member of the group since its inception and I really value our ability to collaborate, share best practice and openly explore shared HR challenges and opportunities, whilst we benchmark and learn from each other. As an HR professional, trainer and facilitator with a strong commercial background, I aim to support the group with valuable content, discussion and debate to enable us to drive HR results and quality for the cross-industry businesses we work for."

Pragji added: "I am pleased to take on the vice-chair's role on the Event Industry HR Group. It is such a valuable way for us to share and learn from our peers, given its cross-association makeup. I look forward to helping evolve the group and supporting Cheryl as she takes over the reins as chair."

Rachel Parker, AEV director, said: "I never fail to be impressed by the calibre of these working groups and their participants. I’m confident that both Cheryl and Raj are the perfect choice for chair and vice-chair. Their commitment to contributing to, and building on, the progress of the group is unquestionable, and their combined experience and knowledge will be great assets to the group going forward.”