The co-founder of tour operator Responsible Travel and Abta’s head of destinations are among those recognised in the King’s 2025 New Year Honours list.
Responsible Travel chairperson Justin Francis (pictured), who is also nature lead for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural affairs’ council for sustainable business, receives an OBE for services to nature and the environment.
Abta’s Angie Hills (pictured) receives an MBE in recognition of her services to improving health, safety and security standards for British travellers abroad.
John Brown, chair of adventure travel company Wild Frontiers and trustee of the school for social entrepreneurs, also receives an OBE for services to charity.
In addition to his roles with government and Responsible Travel, Francis is chair of funding platform Projects for Nature and a director of Saruni Basecamp Safaris in Kenya.
He co-founded Responsible Travel with Professor Harold Goodwin in 2000 after completing a Master’s degree in tourism conservation & sustainable development.
Previously he worked for The Body Shop, whose founder Anita Roddick became a seed investor in the responsible tour operator.
In 2018 he was invited to serve as an advisor to the UK government and was involved in the formation of the Jet Zero Council.
He said: “It’s a huge honour to be recognised for the work that I love. The responsible travel movement has come a very long way in 25 years. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, grateful to everyone who’s been part of creating change, and excited by the progress and innovation we’re seeing.
“Responsible business is not only possible, but profitable – proving that is essential to driving urgent industry reforms. There are obstacles still – in tourism and other sectors alike – but it’s encouraging to have seen what was once regarded as niche and oddball progress to become a must-do for any credible business or tourism destination.”
He added: “Responsible tourism is uniquely positioned to support a fairer transition to a nature positive, low carbon future – generating vital conservation funding and income in the least advantaged communities and places of huge significance for biodiversity and carbon sequestration.”
Hills joined Abta in 2008 following its merger with the Federation of Tour Operators, where she had worked for the previous decade.
She leads the association’s destinations team on all aspects of travel operations including health, safety and security, destination operations and crisis response.
She was responsible for the development, production and launch of Abta’s health and safety technical guide, now in its fifth edition, and is chair of its health & safety and operational committees.
More recently, Hills developed a training course for Abta members on natural disasters which is designed to provide knowledge and skills to plan for and respond to extreme weather.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “Angie has worked tirelessly with our members and their customers to encourage improvements in health and security and keep people safe.
“We are all excited at Abta to hear this news, which is very welcome recognition for Angie’s many years of commitment and expertise.”
John Brown has a background in publishing and worked on a number of inflight magazines including Virgin Atlantic’s Hot Air publication as the founder of John Brown Publishing.
He has since been involved in businesses in a range of sectors and is currently panel chair of Wild Frontiers, which specialises in small group and tailor-made travel and is currently targeting growth through trade channels.
His OBE is presented in recognition of his charity work, which includes roles as trustee of the School for Social Entrepreneurs and Camara Education, which distributes refurbished computers and teacher training to African schools.
Prime minister Keir Starmer said: “Each and every day, ordinary people go out and do extraordinary things for their communities.
“They represent the very best of the UK and that core value of service which I put at the centre of everything this government does.
“The New Year Honours List celebrates more of these unsung heroes, and I thank them for their incredible contribution.”
Justin Francis Photo: ResponsibleTravel.com