Jackie Boughton to step back from full-time role after 12 years, continuing as Executive Consultant, Innovation and Growth
The Barbican has revealed that Jackie Boughton, Director of Commercial, will step back from her full-time role in September, after 12 years helping to shape the Centre’s commercial success, hospitality and event industry profile and business events strategy.
Jackie will continue to support the Barbican as Executive Consultant, Innovation and Growth, working closely with Chief Executive Abigail Pogson and the wider team to support the Centre’s next phase of development.
In this new role, Jackie will focus on ambassadorial activity, business intelligence, new market research, advocacy, brand awareness, client engagement, product feedback and sector representation across business events and wider commercial markets. The role has been designed to support the Barbican’s future growth objectives, while ensuring continuity of senior expertise and industry visibility.
Jackie joined the Barbican in 2014 as Head of Business Events, before becoming Director of Commercial. During that time, she has overseen significant growth in business events and commercial activity, including the Barbican’s bars and catering business, contributing to more than £80m of revenue for the Barbican and City of London Corporation. She has also helped position the Barbican as one of London’s most distinctive venues for conferences, meetings, corporate events, filming, hospitality and brand experiences.
A respected and influential figure across the events, hospitality, tourism and leisure sectors, Jackie’s career has included senior roles across hotels, agencies, destinations and major venues. Her earlier experience in the leisure and travel trade, including contracting with tour operators, ground handlers and travel agencies, provided a strong foundation for her later work across business events, destination promotion and commercial venue strategy. She was one of the first women to sit as a Board Director in a privately owned hotel and apartment group, was part of pioneering work around global distribution systems in the hotel sector, helped deliver award-winning customer service training programmes, and played a senior commercial role in the pre-opening and mobilisation of the new Wembley Stadium with Delaware North.
Jackie has also been widely recognised across the industry, including appearances in rankings such as the C&IT Power 50 and Event 100 Club. During her time at the Barbican, the commercial venue team has won multiple awards, including honours for best venue, sustainability, customer service, team performance and innovation.
Jackie will continue to engage with the wider sector through her senior industry roles, including as Board Director of the Association of Event Venues, Board Director of Drumworks and as a member of the ICCA UK & Ireland Executive Committee.
Abigail Pogson, Chief Executive of the Barbican, said: “Jackie has made an exceptional contribution to the Barbican over the last 12 years. She has combined commercial intelligence, creativity and deep sector knowledge with a leadership style rooted in kindness, trust and generosity. Her work has helped us grow our commercial offer, strengthen our position in the business events market and build long-lasting relationships across London, the UK and internationally.
“I am delighted that Jackie will continue to work with us as Executive Consultant, Innovation and Growth. Her insight, advocacy and understanding of the market will be hugely valuable as we look ahead to the Barbican’s next chapter and continue to develop a sustainable, ambitious and culturally distinctive commercial future.”
Jackie Boughton, Director of Commercial at the Barbican, said: “The Barbican is a very special place, and it has been a privilege to work with such talented, committed and creative colleagues over the last 12 years. I am incredibly proud of what the commercial team has achieved, not only in terms of growth and revenue, but in the way they support clients, audiences, artists and partners with care, integrity and imagination.
“The business events, hospitality and wider commercial sectors matter deeply, not only because of the economic value they generate, but because of the connections, collaboration and opportunities they create for people, organisations and destinations. I have always believed that successful teams are built on respect, trust, communication and accountability. The Barbican has outstanding people across the building, and I know the team will continue to take the business forward with energy and confidence. I am also delighted to remain connected to the Centre in this new consultancy role, supporting Abigail and the team as they look to future opportunities for innovation and growth.”
Tracy Halliwell MBE, Director of Tourism, Conventions and Major Events at London & Partners, said: “Jackie has been a passionate and highly effective advocate for London’s business events sector for many years. Her work at the Barbican has helped showcase not only one of the capital’s most iconic venues, but also the strength, creativity and international appeal of London as a destination for meetings, conferences and events.
“She is respected across the industry for her expertise, generosity and ability to bring people together. It is excellent news that she will continue to play an active role through her consultancy work and senior industry positions, ensuring London and the wider sector continue to benefit from her experience and leadership.”
The Barbican’s commercial venue team will continue to be led by its established senior team, with Jackie supporting the transition through her advisory role. This continuity will ensure the Centre maintains its strong position across business events, commercial partnerships, client engagement and commercial growth.
