The International Special Event Society (ISES) is expanding its reach, adding corporates from Ford and Shell to its Council of Advisors and appointing a new director to lead the association in Scotland.

Andrew Merryweather, media & sponsorship manager at Ford Motor Company is responsible for planning the fixed marketing spend for Ford in Europe, across media, production, digital, events, training and vehicle launch actions, as well as managing sponsorship activities for items such as the UEFA Champions League and Motorsport.

Danny van Otterdyk, head of creative media - corporate identity at Shell International Ltd is an experienced professional in the production and procurement of communication, including events and exhibitions), media and brand related services.

They join current Council of Advisors members Kim Myhre, Sarah Wright, David Hornby, Duncan Reid, Dr Joe Blatt and Robert Wright.

ISES UK chapter president Richard Foulkes said: “As well as giving enormous insight to the board in the ongoing growth and development of the association they will help us understand better the education requirements of the in-house event planning teams across corporate and not-for-profit organisations so we can ensure the Society is tailored to their needs and aspirations.”

Meanwhile, Fran McIntyre, managing director of QD Events and organiser of The Main Event in Glasgow, joins the board as director for Scotland, with planning for a series of ISES events in Scotland already underway. 

Foulkes added: “We continue to be ambitious in the growth of our association and providing connections for learning, creativity and inspiration and Scotland provides great platform for us. Scotland is home to some of the country’s most creative and dynamic events and with the Commonwealth Games coming to Glasgow in 2014 there is a whole host of opportunity for the creative events industry to create, connect and inspire.”