Mayes will join the association from her role as HR director for Milton Keynes-based IMServ Europe Limited, a data collection and energy firm, on 18 July.
 
Commenting on the new appointment, Advantage chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said said: "I am delighted to be welcoming Xian to my senior leadership team in this newly created position that will play a vital role in our strategy going forward.  
 
"Her experience in all areas of HR will be a great support to us as we seek to further develop a future-proof people strategy, and also as we look to support our members and the wider industry in its attempt to become a more compelling and attractive sector to work in."

Meanwhile, Mayes said: "I am very excited to be joining a company that has such a robust people-centric culture and one that is striving for authenticity in every area of its business."
 
The addition comes following a number of other new appointments by Advantage in recent weeks, including the promotion of Kelly Cookes to chief commercial officer and Paul Nunn to chief operations officer and the appointment of Guy Snelgar to the new position of global business travel director.