Abta has appointed three industry leaders to its board of directors.
Andrew Flintham, Tui’s northern region managing director; Garry Wilson, chief executive of easyJet holidays; and Ruth Marshall, managing director of Royal Caribbean International (RCL Cruises Ltd) have joined the board.
Former RCL Cruises vice-president EMEA and managing director Stuart Leven and Tui’s commercial and business development director, Richard Sofer, are stepping down.
Abta chairman Alistair Rowland said: “We are delighted to welcome Ruth and Garry onto the Abta board for the first time, and to welcome Andrew on his return to the board.
“All three individuals have outstanding backgrounds in travel. RCL, Tui and easyJet holidays demonstrate the wide range of businesses within Abta membership, and are essential suppliers to many other Abta members.
“There has never been a more important time for different parts of the travel industry to work together behind a single organisation to carry our case to government, and to shape the future of the industry as we emerge from the pandemic.”
Rowland thanked Leven and Sofer for their contributions.
Marshall said: “I am delighted to join the Abta board at such a critical time for the industry to offer my advice and leadership as we navigate the reopening of travel ahead of us. With 14 years’ experience in cruise and 20 years in travel, I look forward to sharing my broad experience and knowledge with the Board.”
Wilson said: “I’m really pleased to be joining the Abta board, an organisation which carries out consistently brilliant work representing our industry and protecting our customers, which has been particularly recognised and appreciated over the past year.
“I’m really looking forward to taking on the position and working even more closely with industry colleagues. It’s a really important time as we sharpen our focus on the future of travel, building confidence and starting to take people away on their well-earned holidays once again.”
Flintham said: “I’m delighted to be re-joining the Abta board of directors to continue the great work the team have delivered in recent months.
“Abta has always played an important role within our industry and is highly valued by our customers. As we continue to navigate through the Covid-19 crisis for our industry, and start on our road to recovery, I’m looking forward to playing a vital role alongside Mark [Tanzer, Abta chief executive] and other industry leaders.”