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Lord Fowler, a former Cabinet Minister who has also chaired two regional  newspaper groups, will join the board as an independent non executive director and Christine Farnish, Group Public Policy Director at Barclays will become an advisor to the Board.

Lord Fowler served for 11 years in Margaret Thatcher’s cabinet. In his last post as Employment Secretary he was responsible for government policy on the tourism industry. In his business  career he was chairman of Regional Independent Media (The Yorkshire Post Group) and Midland Independent News (publisher of the Birmingham Evening Mail and other Midland newspapers). He has been chairman of a number of other companies including the National House Building Council which maintains standards in the building industry. He started life as a journalist and went to the House of Lords in 2001.

Commenting on his appointment, Lord Fowler said:
“I am delighted. ABTA is a crucial organisation providing a guarantee of quality to the public. I believe strongly in the importance of the tourism industry. It makes a vital contribution both in employment and to the general economy. Its importance and achievements need to be far more recognised.”

Christine Farnish brings substantial Board, consumer policy, consumer protection and public affairs experience to the ABTA Board, as a Director of Consumer Focus and previous directorships at the Office of Fair Trading and the Advertising Standards Authority. She has also worked with the Countryside Commission, OFTEL, the FSA and the National Association of Pension Funds.

Christine said, “ABTA is well known and highly regarded by consumers and politicians alike.  I am delighted to have the opportunity to make a contribution to its role in these areas.”

John McEwan, Chairman of ABTA said: “We are extremely pleased that such illustrious and experienced figures have agreed to work with ABTA.  There is much to do but ABTA is now in an even stronger position to have a major influence in building the public profile of the travel industry, and in pushing our policy agenda in the UK and in Europe.

For further information contact:
Sean Tipton, Senior Press Officer, tel: 020 3117 0513, Frances Tuke, Public Relations Manager, tel: 020 3117 0514, Mobile 07850 712 325, Casia Zajac, Head of Communications, tel: 020 3117 0515, Mobile: 07545 927 411
Out of Hours:  Contact the Duty Press Officer via pager: 07659 190 987
E-mail: press@abta.co.uk
Web: www.abta.com
 
Notes to Editors
ABTA – The Travel Association was founded in 1950 and currently has 1,351 members with 5,700 outlets. Members include travel agents, tour operators and support services right across the spectrum from small family-owned businesses to the largest tour operators. 

ABTA is the largest travel association in the UK and its members provide 90% of the foreign package holidays in the UK as well as selling millions of independent travel arrangements. 

In 2008 ABTA merged with the Federation of Tour Operators [FTO], thereby cementing its role as the leading travel association and increasing benefits for both ABTA and FTO members. Both the ABTA brand which is highly recognised by consumers and the FTO brand which is well known in destinations will be retained.