Safer Tourism Foundation appoints four new trustees

The Safer Tourism Foundation has appointed four new trustees to its board, strengthening the charity’s leadership with expertise across safety, marketing, legal and travel sector operations.

 

The trustees are Charlie Newman, global safety manager at Intrepid Travel; Gill Harvey, external affairs director at School Travel Forum; Jeremy Laight, Fractional chief marketing officer and founder of marketing services agency RocketJam; and Claire Mulligan, partner and head of travel at global law firm Kennedy’s.

 

Katherine Atkinson, chief executive of the Safer Tourism Foundation, said: “Each brings a unique set of skills and experience, and we are excited to get an injection of new insight and strategic thinking on our board as we continue to grow our reach and impact.”

 

The new trustees will join the charity’s current trustees: chair Paul Carter, Janet Russell, Colin Parselle and Ed Deason.

 

The charity also thanked three long-serving trustees who will depart by the end of the year: Ian Ailles, first independent chair and a trustee since 2017; Hans Lagerweij, who has served for eight years; and Anne Allis-Hill, who has served as trustee for three years.

 

Paul Carter, chair of the Safer Tourism Foundation, said: “On behalf of the board, I want to thank Ian, Hans, and Anne for their dedication and unwavering support of the foundation’s mission.

 

“Their contributions have helped shape the foundation’s strategy and impact, and we are immensely grateful.

 

“We also extend a very warm welcome to Charlie, Gill, Jeremy and Claire – we look forward to working with them to further our goal of safer travel for all.”

 

Newman said: “Being appointed is such a compliment and the opportunity to have a positive impact on the wider industry is a challenge I’m really looking forward to.

 

“For me it’s important to remember that safety events or incidents affect all brands and types of travellers, so it means a lot to me to be a part of the great work that Safer Tourism are doing.”

 

Mulligan added: “I’m delighted to join the Safer Tourism Foundation as a trustee. I hope to give something back to the travel industry that I have so enjoyed working with for the past 30 years.

 

“If I can in some small way use the insights and experience gained from 30 years of dealing with tour operator claims and incidents to avoid further accidents and claims affecting tour operator customers and employees then I will be very happy.”

 

Harvey commented: “By sharing best practices and non-commercial information, we can help make travel safer and more enjoyable than ever before.

 

“I am eager to work alongside fellow trustees and dedicated stakeholders who share this commitment to traveller safety.

 

“Together, we can introduce innovative initiatives, advocate for consumer safety, and foster a lasting, positive impact across the tourism industry.

 

“I believe that, united by our expertise and shared purpose, we can shape a future in which every journey is not only memorable, but secure and enriching for all.”