Member Article

Interim Board for Northumberland Tourism amid changes

The current Board of Northumberland Tourism Limited is handing over to an ‘Interim Board’, ahead of changes to tourism marketing and management in the County.

Two existing directors of Northumberland Toursim, David Hall and Lesley Williamson will be part of the Interim Board, brought in to oversee a smooth transition for the company following major tourism funding changes, and the imminent closure of One North East.

Stacey Burlet, Tony Gates, Graeme Mason and Mary Coyle MBE will also form part of the Board until a new Board and Chair are recruited, and take up duties in the summer.

The move follows a review which concluded the Board needed to change in order to contribute most effectively to the management and marketing of Northumberland’s multi-million pound tourism industry.

It was endorsed through consultation with the tourism industry in December 2011 and a follow-up workshop in February 2012.

Peter Kemp, Chair of Northumberland Tourism, said “The current Board of Northumberland Tourism is very supportive of the new approach and has given its backing to the Interim Board.

“I would like to pay tribute to the excellent work of the staff and Board members of Northumberland Tourism.

“They have worked incredibly hard over the last six years to increase the profile of Northumberland and, as a result, we have seen the economic value of tourism grow substantially in recent years.

“We will be happy to support the new Interim Board in any way we can to help take tourism in Northumberland forward.”

David Hall, Chair of the Interim Board, said “We are very grateful to the current Board members for their work in championing Northumberland as a visitor destination.

“They are leaving a strong legacy which will help to attract greater investment from the private sector and create a sustainable private and public sector partnership with a clear focus on marketing and developing Northumberland’s visitor offer.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .