The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) has announced the appointment of eight new directors to its board, strengthening its leadership team with a diverse range of expertise from across the tourism sector. The new board members are:
- Fiona MacConnacher, head of public affairs UK and Ireland at Booking.com
- Jane McFadzean, senior director for global sustainability at Trip.com
- Emma Simpson, group people director at Gleneagles & Estelle
- Rob Wicks, managing director at P&J Live
- Geoff Ellis, chief executive at DF Concerts & Events
- Stephen McGowan, partner and head of licensing (Scotland) at TLT Solicitors
- Ian Stokes, chief operating officer at House of Gods Hotels
- Martyn Wilson, head of commercial at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Rebecca Brooks, chair of the STA, highlighted the breadth of experience the new directors bring, noting that the board now offers a balanced mix of senior executive, non-executive, owner, and operator perspectives. She emphasised the board’s ongoing commitment to dedication and passion, stating, “We have recruited a strong cross section of industry experts ensuring that we have achieved the balance of senior executive, non-executive, owner and operator director experience in our selection… I look forward to our next chapter”.
Marc Crothall, chief executive of the STA, remarked on the impressive response to the recruitment process, which attracted over 300 expressions of interest. He credited the organisation’s growing reputation as the leading voice for Scotland’s tourism industry for this high level of engagement. Crothall also stressed the STA’s pivotal role in supporting the sector through current challenges and in advocating for favourable conditions with national and local government.
The new directors will complete an onboarding period, shadowing existing and outgoing board members, before their official appointment at the STA’s Annual General Meeting on 2 October at the Social Hub in Glasgow.
