The Association of Women Travel Executives (AWTE) UK chapter has held its AGM where the new Board of Directors has been announced for 2023-2024. Lindsay Garvey-Jones remains as Chair, with Michelle Laverick continuing in the Vice-chair position, with three new board members joining.
Debbie O’Neil, General Manager at Jules Verne, joins the board and will be taking on the new position of Development Director, a role which has been created to provide a support network for members personal development. Jessica Simpson, Head of Partnerships at Travel Gossip, will be supporting the growth of AWTE membership in the position of Membership Director. Andrea Stafford, Director of Trade Sales, Scenic and Emerald Cruises will be taking on the position of Events Director
Lindsay Garvey Jones, Chair, and Social Director of the AWTE says: “I’m just delighted to remain as the Chair of AWTE for 2023/4. Having led the association with an extremely talented and experienced board over the last 12 months, we have worked towards providing even more value for our members by adding a wide range of activities to engage with. Having partnered with the BTA on the long-term EDI project to support those in our industry who wish to discover best practice and use a convenient framework to start their own journey. We will nurture this relationship along with those such as Women in Travel and ITT.
To support our members further this year, we have created a new role of Development Director with a focus on positive wellbeing, confidence, health related events such as menopause along with parenting, overwhelm, stress and burnout.
In addition, we will continue expanding our male allyship cohort, currently Danny Waine, ABTA, Phil Gardner, Ambassador Cruises, and Daniel Pearce, TTG Media, to progress the agenda in raising profiles of other genders in the workplace along with ensuring they have voices which are heard and that they lead by example in their attitude, behaviour, and language.
The next 12 months will see us celebrate our 70th anniversary and will have a selection of special events across the UK to mark the success and longevity of the association. I’d also like to take this opportunity to say thank you all our members, trade partners and trade media for their continued support over the years”.
The new Board of Directors is as follows:
· Chair – Lindsay Garvey-Jones
· Vice-chair – Michelle Laverick
· Secretary & Special Projects Director– Linzi Barber
· Finance Director – Helen Tustin
· Social Director – Lindsay Garvey-Jones
· Events Director – Andrea Stafford
· Marketing & PR Director – Michelle Laverick
· Membership Director(s) – Lynette Dungay & Jessica Simpson
· Partnerships Director - Gail Kenny
· Development Director – Debbie O’Neill
· Benevolent Director – Barbro McAusland
For 2023/24, the Association has decided to maintain the membership fee at £80 per annum for an individual membership and £200 for a company membership.
Tickets are now on sale for all events scheduled to take place in 2023 including the Summer Benevolent lunch, Summer River Cruise, Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason, with special guest Eleanor Mills, Wellness Walks, and the Christmas Lunch & Annual Awards.
For more details and to book your place visit: https://www.awte.org.uk/events.