McGrath named as new NITB chief

Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, has announced the name of the new chairman and four new members of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB).

Tom McGrath, OBE, will replace Roy Bailie, OBE, as Chairman of the NITB with Mr Bailie retiring from the post as Chairman when his role expires on December 31, 2002.

Congratulating Mr McGrath on his appointment, Sir Reg said: “As an existing Board Member, Mr McGrath is well aware of the many challenges facing the tourist industry. He will bring to the job of Chairman a tremendous breadth of experience, together with knowledge and understanding of tourism which, I believe has great potential.”

Mr McGrath said: “Having already served for a term of office on the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, I fully appreciate that much work needs to be done and I will be relying on the strong team at the Board to help me deliver on the objectives of the Corporate Plan.

"We need to maximise the economic benefits of tourism to the Northern Ireland economy by attracting more visitors to Northern Ireland, and encourage tourism businesses to provide and deliver the products that visitors want. We also need to create effective working relationships between the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the key partners in the tourism sector. For my part I look forward to undertaking this important role with enthusiasm.”

In addition to Mr McGrath’s appointment the Minister also announced four new members of the Tourist Board.

The new members are John Mooney, Group Sales and Marketing Director of the Mooney Hotel Group; Mandy Martin, General Manager of the Park Avenue Hotel; Andrea Hayes, General Manager Market Development for British European for Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and North West England; and Lyn Fawcett, Senior Lecturer in Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of Ulster.

The appointments will take effect in the New Year when three existing members second term appointments expire. In relation to the fourth seat, Mr Jean Francois Jamet indicated that, although eligible for re-appointment in the New Year, he would not seek a further term as he is now living and working outside Northern Ireland.

(MB)