INTERVIEW
COLIN DAWSON MARTIN BARRATT
In the past decade BALPPA has become the voice of the UK attractions industry. Retiring chief executive Colin Dawson and his successor Martin Barratt talk to Kathleen Whyman about the association’s transformation and the challenges for the industry
W
hen Colin Dawson was appointed as chief executive at BALPPA (the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers
and Attractions) in 2001, the organisation was mainly a communications channel. It gathered information and redistributed it where appropriate and while networking and events were encouraged, many viewed it as a bit of a club. Dawson changed this. BALPPA is now the industry’s chief lob-
byist in the UK, fi ghting for legislation on issues such as safety, Daylight Saving and a VAT reduction. Other member benefi ts include seminars and training. “We’ve become much more focused,” says Dawson. “We’ve developed an organisa- tion that has a value as a brand and is respected. We’re more widely-known both
and The incoming BALPPA chief executive Martin Barratt and his predecessor Colin Dawson
within tourism and beyond in political cir- cles. I never fi nd it necessary to explain what BALPPA is anymore – we’re the park people. We’ve received some distinction.” Dawson has also cemented a close
relationship with IAAPA (the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions), which allows BALPPA to be more infl uential and have select input, par- ticularly since the set up of IAAPA Europe. With such a successful reign, which includes being awarded an Outstanding Service Award at IAAPA last year, how does his successor, Martin Barratt, feel about taking over responsibility? “I’m delighted,” he says. “It’s a chance
to give something back to an industry I’ve been working in for a long time.” Barratt’s grown up in the industry – he
was working at attractions in the school holidays from the age of 12 (he’s now 50). Since then he’s worked in theme parks, museums, castles, zoos, factory tours and walk throughs. In 2004, he set up on his own as a consultant and worked with oper-
Members include Drayton Manor, which has rides including Pandemonium (left)
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ators all over the UK, until he heard about this role. “It’s a fantastic opportunity and I didn’t want to miss it,” he says. “I think I can contribute. Having worked in so many parts of the industry on so many levels – I’ve been everything from litter picker to chief executive – I understand what it feels like to be an operator. “A large part of my career has been in
the commercial sector. Working in attrac- tions when so many millennium projects were launched helped us learn to operate effectively. I hope my experience will help members do the same through confer- ences, seminars and training sessions.”
IN THE THICK OF IT Dawson is staying on one day a week to help with political lobbying. Barratt admits to fi nding this aspect of the role challeng- ing. “I have no experience of working in politics,” he says. “But already I’m enjoying it and Colin is bringing me up to speed.” “The challenge is getting the attention of
the right politicians and maintaining that level of interest,” adds Dawson. “I saw the issue of Daylight Saving as something I thought we could deliver, and hopefully
AM 3 2010 ©cybertrek 2010
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