Industry colleagues have paid tribute to accountant Andrew Burnham, a well-known and highly respected figure in UK travel, who died on Thursday following a long illness.
A partner at MacIntyre Hudson, Andrew had worked with the travel industry for more than 20 years, building the accountancy firm’s travel practice.
Fellow industry accountant Chris Photi of White Hart Associates said: “My colleagues and I are deeply saddened by the loss of our close friend Andrew.
“He was a true gentleman and consummate professional and will be sorely missed by the travel industry at large, by his clients, his staff and by professional colleagues.”
Barclays Corporate Banking head of travel and professional sports Chris Lee said: “I had the privilege of working with Andrew for more than 10 years. He was a pleasure to deal with both professionally and personally and always great fun to be with.
“I will miss our friendship greatly and his memory will stay with many travel colleagues and friends for a very long time to come.”
Andrew studied finance and law at London’s South Bank University before training as a chartered accountant, and joined MacIntyre Hudson in 1991.
He was a keen cricketer who, each year, organised a charity match between MacIntyre Hudson and White Hart Associates.
Photi said: “The annual MHA v WHA charity cricket match will continue, but this year and in future years we will be playing to win The Andrew Burnham Trophy.”
Andrew was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2015 and treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital, but he continued working until late last year.
He was a member of the tourism and hospitality committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales and a fellow of the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT).