PRESS RELEASE : Two Board Members appointed to the British Tourism Authority [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on 17 October 2023.
The Secretary of State has appointed William Burton and Beth Knight as Board Members of the British Tourism Authority for five year terms commencing 18 September 2023.
William Burton
Appointed for a 5 year term commencing 18 September 2023.
William Burton has spent more than 25 years in the travel and tourism sector, starting at British Airways Group, where he went on to become Head of Strategic Analysis; through Thomson Travel Group (now TUI) where he was Director of Sales, eCommerce and Distribution; through Thistle Hotels Group (now GLH Hotels) as Global Sales and Marketing Director.
He went on to senior commercial executive roles at Kuoni UK and Bourne Leisure Group, and government COO roles at The British Library and The Rural Payments Agency, before becoming Chief Executive of Page & Moy Travel Group, the UK’s largest outbound group tours operator. He has subsequently been Chief Executive of both the Construction Industries Training Board (CITB) and Cambridge University’s OCR Exam Board, before founding online travel company, Awesome Experiences.
In addition, he is also a Director of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and sits on its ARC committee. In the past he has also sat on the Councils of ABTA, Federation of Tour Operators; and London & Partners and on the Senate of the University of London.
Beth Knight
Appointed for a 5 year term commencing 18 September 2023.
Winner of the Great British Business Woman Award 2022, Beth Knight is a leading figure in social impact and sustainability – an experienced business transformation and systems change strategist. She has spent over fifteen years applying her expertise to help global companies evolve as purpose-led businesses. She is a working mother of two and is passionate about equal rights and diversity, tackling climate change, and innovating through technology.
Beth is currently an independent consultant and board director – with positions ranging from Chair of Save the Children’s corporate advisory board, to Domain Expert for Carbon13’s venture builder in climate tech. Alongside this, Beth is a Senior Associate at the University of Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership (CISL) and is Head Tutor for the Business Sustainability Management executive education program.
Beth’s prior roles have included: Head of ‘Amazon in the Community’ Leader for Europe, Global Markets Associate Director at EY, Head of Corporate Sustainability for EY’s Financial Services business.
Remuneration and Governance Code
Board Members of the British Tourism Authority are remunerated £320 per month for two days a month. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. William Burton and Beth Knight has not declared any significant political activity.
