Shakespeare’s England, the Destination Management Organisation for Warwickshire, has announced the appointment of 16-year-old Ben Archer as its first ever Destination Management Apprentice.
16 year old Ben Archer from Bidford-upon-Avon has been appointed Shakespeare’s England’s first ever Destination Management Apprentice. He began at the start of April on a one-year, Level 3 Business Administration and Marketing Apprenticeship. The appointment is a joint initiative with Stratford-upon-Avon College, who will act as the Apprentice Assessment Organisation.
Ben will be concentrating on all aspects of digital marketing such as website content management, email marketing and social media, as well as working with Kate Varvedo, Marketing & Communciations Manager and Anneka Nicholls, Marketing and Administrative Coordinator. As part of a very small, hands-on team, Ben will have the opportunity to be closely involved in all aspects of the business including event management, account management for members, customer service support, and administrative support for the Chief Executive Helen Peters.
This collaboration between the College and Shakespeare’s England is the first step in their developing partnership, with Stratford College and Solihull College & University Centre being recently welcomed onto the Board of Shakespeare’s England.
Helen Peters, Chief Executive of Shakespeare’s England, said, “Shakespeare’s England is really excited at the prospect of taking on our first ever Apprentice. We are also hoping that we can provide Ben with the opportunity to spend some quality time with some of Shakespeare’s England’s members including key attractions and hotels to learn how those businesses work. We think this is a great opportunity for a young, enthusiastic apprentice and look forward to working with Ben as he starts his journey into the workplace.”
Lindsay Stewart, Chief Operating Officer of Stratford-upon-Avon College and the College’s representative on the Board, is particularly pleased at Ben’s appointment. “Stratford-upon-Avon College shares Shakespeare’s England’s commitment to promoting tourism in Warwickshire, so we are delighted that Ben, taking part in our apprenticeship programme, is joining them. We are confident he will not only gain from his involvement in all aspects of digital marketing and destination management, but with his enthusiasm and adaptability will also prove to be an asset to Shakespeare’s England.”
Image by David Edmund-Jones Photography.
L-R: Dr. Lindsey Armstrong, General Manager at Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall; Stevie Edmund-Jones, Head of Employer Engagement at Stratford College; Helen Peters, Chief Executive of Shakespeare’s England; Nadhim Zahawi, local MP for Straford-upon-Avon; Ben Archer.
