Abta chairman and Advantage Travel Centres chief executive John McEwan is joining the borad of trustees of People 1st, the sector skills council for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism.
The Co-operative Travel managing director Mike Greenacre and Orient-Express Services worldwide HR director Sara Edwards are joining People 1st’s council of members.
Others joining the council include celebrity chef Michael Caines and Mike Williams, Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin Hotels.
The new members were introduced at People 1st’s annual general meeting where minister for welfare reform Lord Freud attended to discuss how hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism employers can assist in getting unemployed people back into work.
McEwan said: “The travel industry has faced a number of challenges in recent years and, in an increasingly competitive environment, it is essential that travel employers have access to the skilled workers that they need.
“Having worked with People 1st previously on the development of the Diploma in Travel and Tourism, which was an excellent example of collaboration between education and industry, I have seen how employers can really make a difference to improving skills in the travel industry.
“I look forward to working with the rest of the People 1st board and to ensuring that the needs of the travel industry are accurately represented.”
People 1st chief executive, Brian Wisdom said: “As an employer-led organisation, People 1st is committed to ensuring that we have the highest level of employer support and engagement across the broad range of industries that make up our sector.
“We have undertaken important work with the travel industry over the past couple of years, such as introducing the Diploma in Travel and Tourism, and supporting the development the Accredited Travel Professional scheme, which have important roles to play in raising skills across the sector.
“Appointing such influential figures as John McEwan, Mike Greenacre and Sara Edwards to our board and council of members will ensure that we can keep up the momentum in our work with the travel industry, and I look forward to working with them all.”