APPENDIX 31
Further letter to the Clerk of the Committee
from Mr Martin Skan, Chewton Glen Hotel
RE: CHAIRMAN OF BTA, 2003
Just to update you and thank all those who were
good enough to send a letter to the Committee looking into the
appointment of the Chairman of the BTA. The latest situation is
as follows.
1. Lord Marshall told me the position had
been advertised in September, and that interviewing from a short
list would take place mid-November. For your interest I enclose
a list of those on the Committee, and if of course you know any
of them it would be a good opportunity to speak with them about
this important appointment. I have yet to find anyone who has
actually seen the advertisement, I have asked if I may see a copy
but to date nothing has been received. It is extraordinary that
we are told this has been well advertised but no one seems to
have seen it. However, I understand the advertisement does stipulate
that this appointment is for two days a week, whereas we feel
strongly this should be a full-time job. It is surprising that
nothing about this has appeared in any of the trade journals,
and I would have thought apart from advertising this appointment
a head hunting organisation should be involved.
2. You will have heard that the Secretary
of State, Tessa Jowell, has announced plans to develop a lead
government agency for inbound tourism to Britain, and the marketing
of England with Britain. This agency will combine the resources
and the marketing of England within Britain. This agency will
combine the resources and strengths of the BTA and the ETC, and
this new agency will come into effect on 1 April 2003 with Tom
Wright, the Chief Executive of the BTA, as its CEO.
3. I hard from Bob Cotton, the Chief Executive
of the BHA, and he said it was extremely fortuitous that so many
people had written to the Select Committee of Culture, Media and
Sport at this precise moment as this had coincided with his own
initiative along similar lines. I understand the position now
is that the BTA and the ETC are going to be combined under the
chairmanship of the BTA, and they have decided to appoint a chairman
of this new organisation for just a one year period. Apparently
they feel this will give them time to take another look at this
new organisation and then to go for a full time chairman. My initial
reaction when I spoke to Bob Cotton was that this was probably
a good compromise situation, but thinking it over I actually do
not think this is acceptable. To have a part-time chairman from
March 2003 for a year is, I feel, a waste of time. We will have
someone who is new to the job and is only there for a year. It
means we are wasting valuable time at a period where urgent action
is needed to promote tourism. I am now convinced in my mind that
the Committee should try to persuade Mr Quarmby to stay on for
a few more months until the new full-time chairman has been found.
A great amount of energy should now be put into finding a new
chairman who will be full time, starting immediately advertising
the job extensively and using a head hunter. Time is of the essence
and we have wasted too much time already. It has been known for
some considerable time that Mr Quarmby would be retiring, and
thinking things over this whole matter has been dealt with in
a very casual manner. I hope you will agree with me, and I hope
you will feel like writing to the Select Committee again. I am
actually sending a copy of this memo to keep them informed.
Incidentally Bob Cotton thought it had been
extremely helpful that so many people had written to the Select
Committee and he said they had been very influenced by all our
letters so it seems we are making an impact. So those of you who
have not written, it would be wonderful if you could do so. Please
do send me a copy as it is really helpful to know your views.
7 November 2002
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