High profile deputy chairman for VisitBritain
VisitBritain has made a second high profile appointment to its senior Board.
The organisation, which markets Britain to the rest of the world and England to the British, this week announced the appointment of Viscountess Penelope Cobham as deputy chairman.
Lady Cobham is also chairman of the British Casino Association, 100.7 Heart FM and Galaxy 102.2 FM, chairman of the Trustees of the Gulbenkian Prize for museums and galleries, a trustee of Thinktank, the Birmingham Museum of Science and Discovery, and a trustee of People 1st (a skills council for the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industries).
She has previously served on the boards and national bodies of English Heritage, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Countryside Commission and British Waterways, among others.
Her role is deputy to Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge, the former British Airways chairman who took on chairmanship of VisitBritain at the start of 2005.
Commenting on the appointment Lord Marshall said: “This is an important appointment for VisitBritain.
Penny’s extensive experience in the visitor, leisure and media industries is a great asset for us as we enter into a number of new overseas markets and maintain a comprehensive programme of marketing in partnership with the commercial industry.
“She will work with me to maintain a high profile for the inbound and domestic visitor economy with our key stakeholders as well as ensuring accountability to Government and the industry.”
Outlining the challenges that lay ahead for VisitBritain, Lady Cobham mentioned increasing visitor spend.
Recent figures released by VisitBritain show the country had a record year in 2004 in terms of visitor numbers, and although total overseas visitor spend in 2004 reached £12.8 billion, up 8% from 2003, it has only just drawn level with 2000.
Report by Ginny McGrath
Ginny McGrath
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season