The Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) board is to examine its election process amid concern over “meaningless” board categories.
At a board meeting due to take place on Wednesday June 1, members were due to discuss the categories, which chairman and chief executive Steven Freudmann has already admitted are “not particularly relevant”.
The meeting comes ahead of ITT’s conference in Venice and as the organsation elects new members to its board. Giles Hawke, who is stepping down from the board in July, agreed the election process should be discussed.
He said: “It is important this issue is fully debated by the ITT board, and that members are comfortable the affairs of ITT are conducted in a transparent and ethical manner.
“I have had a number of members ask me about the election process and it will be good to have this on the agenda so we can demonstrate a fair process that is open to scrutiny and above criticism or accusations of impropriety.”
Neil Herbert, who this week resigned from the board after five years because of work commitments at Value Retail, agreed: “Anything like this needs to be discussed openly and the ITT needs to be transparent. I’m sure board members will not hold their punches.”
He added: “What people often forget is the ITT is not a commercial organisation and cannot be run as one.”
The Co-operative Travel Group managing director Mike Greenacre added: “I am very clear as an ITT board director that ITT must be seen by members as an organisation above reproach on constitutional matters in particular.
“Any issues that may appear to work against that objective must certainly be a matter for consideration by the ITT board.”