The Association of Women Travel Executives (AWTE) UK chapter announces its new board for the 70th year, marking a significant organisational shift.
- Lindsay Garvey-Jones steps down, handing over the chair role to Michelle Laverick.
- Five new board members have been appointed, each bringing unique expertise.
- The focus remains on supporting women in travel, especially the younger generation.
- The new board aims to adapt AWTE to the evolving needs of women in the industry.
The Association of Women Travel Executives UK chapter ushers in its 70th year with the announcement of a new board of directors. This transition signifies a substantial shift in leadership and direction. As the organisation enters this milestone year, the focus continues to be on supporting women within the travel industry, with special attention paid to the younger generation navigating their careers.
Lindsay Garvey-Jones, who made notable contributions, most prominently as chair for the past two years, steps down to pass the baton to Michelle Laverick. Laverick, who serves as the commercial director at Marketing Radar, expressed her honour and excitement at stepping into the role of chair. She praised Garvey-Jones’s invaluable leadership and is prepared to work alongside a team of accomplished women.
The new appointments to the board include five individuals: Debbie O’Neill from Jules Verne as vice-chair, Jane Pinfold from Scott Dunn returning as events director, Yvonne Kinder from Aito also stepping into the role of events director, Julie Murphy from All Nippon Airways as partnerships director, and Ella Dunham from Exsus Travel as marketing director. Additionally, Manisha Blair from Classic Collection assumes the role of membership director. Each brings a wealth of experience and unique perspective to their respective roles.
Under Laverick’s leadership, the board will focus on strategizing the organisation’s course for events and developmental programmes. At the annual meeting, she highlighted the success of the recently launched personal development programme, aimed at bolstering professional growth among members. This programme saw its first ‘lunch and learn’ session hosted by Debbie O’Neill and is set for a broader rollout in the coming months.
As the AWTE embarks on this new chapter, the emphasis is on adapting to meet the evolving needs of women in the travel sector. The commitment to fostering a nurturing environment for both seasoned professionals and newcomers remains at the forefront of the organisation’s objectives.
The AWTE’s new board is poised to navigate its 70th year with a keen focus on evolving industry needs and supporting women in travel.
