NITB appoint new Chief Executive

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) have appointed a new Chief Executive, former head of Aberdeen and Grampian Tourist Board, Alan Clarke.

A native of Northern Ireland, educated at Lurgan College and the University of Ulster, Mr Clarke has been involved in tourism since leaving college in 1974 when he joined the NITB as Research and Planning Development Officer.

NITB’s Chairman, Roy Bailie, said: “Alan joins NITB at a time of great change. Over the years he has worked in marketing, development, strategy, and more recently, as Chief Executive of a regional tourist board. Such widespread experience will prove invaluable to NITB and to Northern Ireland’s tourism industry in general”.

In 1977 Mr Clarke took up the post of Tourism Officer with Gwent County Council where he was responsible for all aspects of tourism marketing and development. This experience stood him in good stead when he became Head of Tourism for Devon Tourism in 1986. Moving to Scotland four years later he continued to succeed in the tourism field becoming Director of Marketing for the Edinburgh Tourist Board and, seven years later, Chief Executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Tourist Board.

Mr Clarke is expected to take up post on 23 September this year. (CD)