LONDON.- The Barbican, Europe’s largest combined Arts and Conference has promoted Mark Taylor to the newly created role of Commercial and Buildings Director, a position that will include the delivery of the £10m capital programme over the next five years.

The new role is an expansion of Mark’s previous responsibilities as it consolidates two of the venues most senior positions. The new Commercial and Buildings Director division will incorporate the following:

· Conference Sales

· Event Management

· Technical Services

· Exhibition Sales and Event Management

· Contracts & Facilities (which includes catering, banqueting, retail, security, cleaning, fire, car parking, medics)

· Project Management and Engineering

In his new role, which is part of the re-structure initiated by Managing Director, Sir Nicholas Kenyon, Mark will have responsibility for approximately 315 staff, including contractors.

Mark’s responsibilities grow from a focus on the commercial income and facilities operation to encompass the Barbican’s £3.3m annual engineering, maintenance programme and utilities expenditure.

Mark joined the Barbican in 1996 as Commercial Director, since then his role has increased to that of Commercial and Venue Services Director in 2006. He was the director responsible for the 2001 – 2006 RIBA award winning £14.1m public spaces and entrances project.

Commercial income at the Barbican have reached their highest ever levels under Mark’s guidance and leadership – reaching £4.6m in 2007/08.

Mark made the following comment in response to the promotion: "Whilst the new role is personally very exciting, it is also a great opportunity to bring a host of separate areas within the Centre together in a common culture to reinforce and maintain our position as one of the world's leading integrated arts and conference centres."