BA’s Martin George quits VisitBritain

British Airways commercial director Martin George has resigned from the board of VisitBritain, citing the pressure of his new role as an executive board member at the airline.

George, who has been on the board of the UK’s main tourist body since November 2003 when he was appointed for a three-year term, has quit after less than two years because of the added responsibilities he now has at British Airways.

He tendered his resignation after being elevated to the BA board of directors but will remain with the tourist body until the end of the year until a replacement is found.

“I have just resigned from the VisitBritain board because of time pressure,” he says. “If I stay I am going to let everybody down, so I would rather step aside.”

VisitBritain says the Department for Culture Media and Sport is looking for a replacement.

The VisitBritain board is chaired by Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge, a former chairman of British Airways, and helps guide the work of the tourism organisation, which has been at the forefront of attempts to attract visitors back to the UK after the July terrorist bombings in London.

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