Chris Barlow, former chief executive of Melbourne Airport accepted the position as the new Chairman of the Board of Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) at today's (28 November 2007) Annual General Meeting. Janine Kirk A.M.

Lead Partner, Victorian Government of Ernst + Young, stepped down after six years.

Chris has over 30 years experience in the aviation industry and has been a Director on MCVB's Board since 2001.

"I am honoured to have been elected Chairman by such esteemed industry colleagues and I very much look forward to continuing the successes and achievements of MCVB. It's very exciting times for Melbourne with such a bright future ahead for the business events industry," said Chris.

A chartered Civil Engineer who started his working life designing and supervising dock projects in the UK, Chris was appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Australia Pacific Airports Corporation (Melbourne and Launceston Airports) in July 2000.

Having joined BAA (formerly British Airports Authority) in 1969 as an Engineering Project Manager, Chris held a number of senior management positions within BAA, including: Managing Director, Aberdeen Airport; General Manager, Terminal 3, Heathrow Airport; Development Director at BAA, responsible for the A$1.5 billion business development programme of the BAA Group.

Chris has a BSc (Honours) in Civil Engineering, and is a member of the Institute of Civil Engineers as well as the Institute of Transport. Chris is also Non-Executive Director of Asciano and Chairman of Northern Territories Airports.