06 November 2008

Boss of VisitBritain quits

VisitBritain chief executive Tom Wright is to leave the organisation after more than six years.

His decision comes against a backdrop of government budget cuts and a restructuring of the national tourism organisation.

Wright is to become chief executive of a new charity to be formed from the merger of Age Concern England and Help the Aged next year.

He will leave VisitBritain after an ââ¬Åâœappropriate handover periodââ¬~, a statement said.

A search has begun for a successor to Wright.

VisitBritain chairman Christopher Rodrigues said: ââ¬ÅâœTom has been an excellent chief executive for VisitBritain and we will miss him.

ââ¬ÅâœHe has guided this organisation for almost seven years and delivered tremendous value to the visitor economy.

ââ¬ÅâœNow that we are reaching completion of the Tourism Framework Review and preparing the restructuring of VisitBritain to separate VisitEngland with its own CEO, alongside a streamlined VisitBritain, I understand his desire for a new challenge and, on a personal level, I am delighted he has chosen to accept such a challenging and prestigious role.ââ¬~

Wright said: ââ¬ÅâœIt has been a great pleasure and honour to lead VisitBritain through some exciting and challenging times and I believe we have a highly effective and well respected team to lead VisitBritain and VisitEngland towards the major opportunity of 2012 and also to address the current economic downturn.

ââ¬ÅâœThe new Framework will also lead to a more effective and efficient approach as to how all the tourism agencies work together.ââ¬~

by Phil Davies 

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• Opportunity Knocks
  
  

  Let's hope the next incumbent is recruited from the industry and can relate to the issues of tourism. I for one hope that VB will resist the temptation to pull in a high profile - high salary character from SmithKlineBeecham or some such! Lets see tourism put at the top of the VB agenda.

  By Peter Shearn, Thursday, November 6, 2008
• Heres to better times
  
  

  Lets hope Visit Britain seize this opportunity to change their plan & start to truly promote UK accommodations around the world, instead of only those who agree to sign up to their overpriced club. I believe they do not currently work in the best interest of UK tourism so hope to see a change.

  By nigel harris, Thursday, November 6, 2008