Social Partner
Business Representative

Director
Wrightlines

Formerly a teacher and lecturer but now a local business man with specialist knowledge of the tourism industry, Nigel Jess was invited to represent the business community on The Bridge Partnership. Having been the Chair of the Banbridge District Tourist Development Association since its foundation in 1991, Nigel is a good candidate to ensure The Bridge Partnership is kept well informed about all tourism initiatives in the local area and beyond and continues to promote the Banbridge District as a popular tourist destination. Nigel expects the tourism sector to gain from his membership of The Bridge Partnership and intends to maximise every benefit obtained from this.

He has frequently represented many tourism interests and products throughout the British Isles, Europe, the Far East, Australia, New Zealand and North America.

Nigel has been working as a freelance tourism consultant since 1988. Prior to this he held a number of posts in education. He formerly was the Head of Modern European Languages at schools in Portadown, Lurgan, Launceston (Tasmania) and Perth (Western Australia). He guest lectured in tourism at the University of Ulster’s Jordanstown Campus and he also lectured in the Hospitality and Tourism Department of the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education.

Between 1970 and 1988 Nigel was employed by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board in various posts including Area Representative, Product Development Manager and Marketing Manager.

After graduating with a B.A. Degree in Modern European Languages from Queen’s University (Belfast), Nigel achieved Certificates in teaching and education in Northern Ireland, Tasmania and Nice (France). He served on Banbridge Academy’s Board of Governors for two consecutive sessions. He is a member of the Tourism Society and the Institute of Travel and Tourism.

Married to Elizabeth with two grown-up sons, Nigel leads quite an active life which includes gardening, walking, skiing and sailing. He is an avid reader and a frequent traveller.