One of Dorset’s best-known businessmen has been named as the new Chair of BH Live.

The registered charity operates leisure and event venues across Dorset, Hampshire and London including the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and Pavilion Theatre.

Paul Collins, who worked in the motor industry for more than 50 years before retiring in 2019, takes over from Active Dorset’s Martin Kimberley.

He was Operational Director with the Westover Group, acquired by Hendy Group three years ago, and is a past President of Dorset Chamber.

His appointment was announced on the same day that Lighthouse Poole named MT Rainey OBE as its new Chair.

Paul, 69, joined the Board of BH Live Enterprises in 2014 and BH Live the following year.

He said: “I have always respected the remarkable impact BH Live and its team has in our community.

“Being physically active and engaged in culture is incredibly beneficial for everyone and our community as a whole.

“Working with our local authority partners we run venues, leisure centres, cafés, bars, attractions and green spaces for the people in our community – but the reach and impact of our work goes so much further than that.

“Over the last year, people using local leisure centres and taking part in physical activity has improved community health and generated a ‘social value’ of an estimated £10 million.

“This shows the extent to which we are improving people’s health and reducing the demand for health and social care services.

“Cultural events and entertainment make a vital contribution to the local economy too.

“The events we bring to the communities we serve provide a major boost to local businesses and jobs too.

“Last year we generated an estimated cultural economic benefit of more than £7.2 million.

“In these challenging times, this is simply amazing.

“By being a registered charity, every penny of surplus we make from our commercial activity is reinvested locally to benefit people in those communities.

“This past couple of years has been, and continues to be, challenging.

“Rising costs are having a vast impact on us all, including our team and customers.

“In these times of significant financial pressures, running our services as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible without seriously impacting services or affordability continues to be a priority.”

BCP Council is currently investing £1.8 million to modernise facilities at the BIC, pictured.

It includes enhanced digital technology, additional meeting spaces and improved public areas.

The improvements will support the town’s bid to bring large-scale national and international conferences and events to the region.

Paul said: “This is a particularly significant investment because conferences and exhibitions bring an estimated £40 million into the region each year through business tourism.

“This has huge benefits for local people, businesses, jobs and our economy.

“Despite a challenging couple of years, the venue has bounced back and remains a key player on the national events and touring circuit.

“It is, however, vital we continue to offer event organisers, delegates, and promoters what they need and that the region has the best facilities and is a great place to host their events.”

Paul has been involved with many charities as a Trustee and was on the Board of Poole Arts Trust (Lighthouse).

A husband, father and grandfather, his family is third-generation Bournemouth.

He said: “This is an exciting time to be taking up the reins as Chair.

“With the support of the Board, and the experienced BH Live team, we continue to be a driving force for good.

“I am passionate that community remains at the heart of what we do and we continue to make an impact where it matters most.”

Apart from the BIC and Pavilion, other BH Live venues in Dorset include leisure centres at Littledown, Pelhams , Stokewood, Queens Park (temporarily closed) and Sir David English in Bournemouth and BH Live Active in Corfe Mullen.

• Jon Workman, who was Director of Finance and Business Support for six years, is now Chief Executive of BH Live. He replaced Chris Symons, appointed in 2019, who left the organisation in October.