Strategic Partnerships' remit is to develop and maintain direct relations with a wide range of partners, with the main aim of making sure that tourism is seen as an important and valuable industry for Scotland.

Its activities help to create a positive and supportive climate for VisitScotland and for the industry in general. It does this through communications and strategic engagement activities, influencing a range of partners and stakeholders including:

• tourism businesses
• industry bodies
• Scottish Government
• media
• staff
• and other public agencies.

There are three departments in this directorate:

• Corporate Communications
• Strategic Development
• Strategic Relations

Director of Strategic Partnerships – Riddell Graham

Riddell started working in tourism in 1979 as assistant tourist officer with Borders Council and then through the ranks and a host of related jobs to Chief Executive of Scottish Borders Tourist Board, a post he held from 1996 to 2005. He joined VisitScotland in April 2005 as Director of Strategy, Partnership and Communication, responsible for helping to shape the Scottish Executive's Tourism Strategy for Scotland, developing and enhancing partnerships locally and nationally with key industry and public sector organisations and bodies, and managing the delivery of VisitScotland's corporate communications. He is the current Chair of the Scottish Association of Tourist Offices and a Fellow of the Tourism Society.

Key Contacts
For a list of key contacts please go to our contact us page