All Leisure Group chairman Roger Allard will join the Abta board next month following a decision by fellow directors last Thursday.
Allard has previously served on the Abta board, but stood down in 2007.
He has been touted as a possible candidate to succeed Advantage Travel Centres chief executive John McEwan as Abta chairman, although Allard has not confirmed an interest.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “Roger Allard is good to have on the board because of his very broad experience of the industry and particularly his experience in the area of financial protection. He also represents cruise expertise.”
Allard will join a board recently reduced to 10 members by the resignation of Travel Republic chief executive Kane Pirie.
Pirie resigned late last year after criticising Abta’s acceptance of an expected extension of the Package Travel Directive, soon to be revealed by the European Commission.
However, Tanzer said: “Roger is not a direct replacement for Kane Pirie.” There could be further appointments, he said, adding: “The board will look at other individuals to make sure the board fairly represents the whole membership.”
The Abta board also decided to appoint Daniele Broccoli of Britaly Travel as a director when his elected term finishes in April.
Tanzer said: “Daniele Broccoli has done an excellent job representing independent travel agents. We want to maintain his experience on the board while encouraging someone else to come through.”
He insisted the board has yet to discuss who might succeed John McEwan, who will complete the second of two terms as chairman at the Abta annual general meeting in April.
Tanzer said: “These appointments were made completely separately from any discussion the board may have about the future chairman’s role.”
Broccoli contested the election for chairman when McEwan was first elected four years ago.
The Abta board is made up of a mix of elected and appointed directors to a maximum of 14, including the chairman and chief executive.