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McEwan on Allard and Josephides: ‘May the best man win’
Outgoing ABTA chairman John McEwan has given his backing to both men who have emerged as possible candidates to take over the role when he retires this week.
McEwan said ABTA board members Roger Allard, chairman of All Leisure Group, and Noel Josephides, managing director of Sunvil, who have both expressed an interest in the chairmanship, were "excellent candidates" with "a wealth of experience".
"Roger was previously on the ABTA board and has recently rejoined and Noel is a long-time support of ABTA through his position on the board and the committees he serves," he said. "May the best man win!"
All nominations must be submitted to ABTA by May 8. If there is more than one candidate, it will be put to a vote of the membership.
McEwan said the future chairman of ABTA would need to have gained a standing and respect both inside and outside the industry and they would need to be able to represent all members, not just one faction. "They will need to act as a unifying force to bring everyone together.
"They must also be very visible externally, not just to ABTA members and within the travel industry but to political bodies."
McEwan is standing down after serving two terms as ABTA chairman. He has also retired as Advantage chief executive after more than eight years . In future, the 66-year-old revealed he plans to work only two to three days a week as a consultant to both travel and non-travel businesses, leaving him more time to spend with his family.
"I’ve been working for 50 years, since I was 16 years old, and although I don’t feel 66 – and some people kindly say that I don’t look it – now is the right time for me to retire from full-time work," he said.
Providing companies with advice in a non-executive role was a possibility, while he is also considering offering advice to businesses on a consultancy basis. A third option he is considering is advising private equity firms looking to invest in the travel businesses.
"I haven’t committed to anything yet, but I have been invited to meet with people as a result of me announcing my retirement last Friday," he said.
** Who would get your vote in the ABTA election? Take part in the Mole Poll on our homepage to tell us who you would prefer to be the next chairman.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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