Chief executive quits VisitBritain

VisitBritain chief executive Tom Wright has quit the tourism body after seven years at the helm. Wright will join the new charity to be formed from the merger of Age Concern England and Help the Aged in 2009 as chief executive.

The tourism organisation says it has already started a search for a new chief executive. Wright’s move comes as VisitBritain is completing its Tourism Framework Review, ahead of a restructure.

In October, VisitBritain announced that VisitEngland would become a separate entity with its own chief executive and a remit to market England abroad. Currently, VisitEngland acts as an advisory board within VisitBritain.

The objective of the framework review is to lend an effective and efficient approach as to how all the tourism agencies work together.

The new “super” charity of Age Concern England and Help the Aged is expected to have a combined income of over £150m.