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.
