Paul Barnes
Chief Executive, Association of International Retail
Paul is the Chief Executive of the Association of International Retail, leading the campaign to persuade the Government to introduce a fully digitalised tax-free shopping scheme for all international visitors to the UK. He is the acknowledged expert on UK VAT free shopping policy
Paul has been a public affairs professional for 35 years, latterly as Managing Director of the UK’s largest public affairs agency. He has been a board level advisor for major businesses in the tourism, retail and property sectors including The Crown Estate, The National Trust, Boots, Global Blue, and five central London BIDs. He ran the UK China Visa Alliance, who’s recommendations were launched and adopted by the then Home Secretary and led to the number of UK visitor visas issued in China rising from 200,000 to 800,000.