More than 500 companies demand Jeremy Hunt scrap the ‘vacationer tax’

More than 500 main companies have now signed a letter demanding the Chancellor scraps the vacationer tax to offer Britain’s financial system a much-needed increase.

With only a week to go till the Budget, the British Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses have heaped stress on Jeremy Hunt by backing the marketing campaign.

The organisations, which have 200,000 members mixed, signed the letter spearheaded by hotelier Sir Rocco Forte calling on Mr Hunt to reintroduce the VAT rebate for vacationers.

Other new signatories embody Heathrow Airport – which warned that the vacationer tax is diverting gross sales from British tills to Europe.

Rishi Sunak scrapped tax-free looking for abroad vacationers in 2021 when he was Chancellor – with the Treasury claiming it was a ‘pricey reduction which doesn’t profit the entire of GB equally’.

Since then, there was requires the rebate to be reintroduced and the Mail’s Scrap The Tourist Tax marketing campaign was launched in assist.

Last night time Shevaun Haviland, director common of the BCC, mentioned: ‘Businesses throughout our chamber community are calling for a brand new worldwide tax-free procuring coverage for worldwide vacationers.

‘Three years in the past, Government ended the VAT refund scheme, which is holding the UK again behind its European counterparts and stopping inward funding that drives financial exercise all through the nation.

‘There is evident unanimity from the British enterprise neighborhood that the Chancellor should change course and firmly present that Britain is open for enterprise.’

Ross Baker, chief industrial officer at Heathrow Airport, mentioned proof is ‘clear’ that the vacationer tax is ‘diverting gross sales by worldwide travellers from British tills to Europe, impacting 1000’s of jobs and livelihoods reliant on retail and its provide chain‘.

He added: ‘Being the one nation in Europe to not supply a tax-free procuring incentive means British companies will not be competing on a degree enjoying discipline and are struggling the results.

‘At the Spring Budget, the Chancellor should introduce a brand new, aggressive tax-free procuring scheme for worldwide guests.’

And Craig Beaumont, chief of exterior affairs on the FSB, mentioned it was time for the vacationer tax to ‘get the chop’.

He mentioned: ‘The influence of bringing in a aggressive tax-free procuring scheme goes far additional than boosting present retail centres.

‘Many small corporations throughout the nation will profit from high-spending guests in inns, eating places, bars and transport whereas extra will profit as a part of the availability chain to assist make Great British merchandise, and generate extra jobs and progress in comparison with their EU rivals.’

Hotelier Sir Rocco added: ‘The vacationer tax has was a spectacular personal aim for the UK financial system and the enterprise neighborhood is united on the necessity for reform within the Budget on March 6.’

Mr Hunt has ordered the Government’s financial watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility, to research whether or not the controversial tax prices Britain greater than it raises.

The OBR will report again earlier than the Spring Statement, and campaigners have urged the Chancellor to behave if it confirms their perception that the tax has price the financial system billions in misplaced income.

Research commissioned partly by the Mail final yr discovered that scrapping the vacationer tax may make the UK £10billion-a-year higher off.

A Treasury spokesman mentioned: ‘We preserve all taxes beneath assessment and recognise the worth that retailers convey to Britain. That is why we introduced a £4.3billion enterprise charges package deal at Autumn Statement to assist companies and the excessive avenue.

‘VAT-free procuring stays accessible for all non-UK guests shopping for gadgets in retailer and having them despatched on to their abroad tackle.’

In full: The 500 names calling to scrap the vacationer tax

DEAR CHANCELLOR,

The pandemic positioned most companies beneath acute stress, significantly these within the hospitality, retail, journey and tourism sectors which we characterize. So, the Treasury’s determination in 2021 to finish the longstanding scheme that allowed worldwide vacationers to buy tax-free was puzzling and ill-timed.

Liz Truss’s shortlived authorities introduced plans to reintroduce the VAT rebate to spice up the excessive avenue, however this has now been reversed.

Every nation remaining within the EU now gives tax-free procuring, whereas we do not. Effectively, now we have abruptly began charging 20 per cent greater than different international locations do for a similar items. The Treasury claims this transfer is saving the taxpayer £2billion a yr, however that is flawed and deceptive. The international guests who’ve historically come from the US, Middle East, China and elsewhere to buy one of the best of British inject massive sums into the broader financial system, on prime of what they spend on retail purchases.

Figures from Visit Britain present that procuring has historically been one of the widespread causes cited for visiting the UK. Indeed, British enterprise historically made £3.5billion in tax-free gross sales to vacationers yearly. The scheme benefited vacationer hotspots like London, Manchester, and Edinburgh, in addition to out of city procuring villages.

Visitors didn’t simply spend in retail shops – their customized supported inns, eating places, and theatres. Oxford Economics has concluded that if all of the financial impacts of a tax-free procuring scheme are considered, the UK would, the truth is, profit to the tune of a whole bunch of thousands and thousands of kilos a yr.

The influence of its removing is already being seen. It was miserable to witness a fantastic British model like Mulberry closing the doorways of one in every of its flagship shops as a direct results of the lack of tax-free procuring, because it did earlier this yr.

New analysis from tax-free procuring specialists Global Blue reveals the UK is shedding out on the numerous spending made by worldwide travellers as international journey resumes. Paris, Madrid and Milan cannot consider their luck because the UK’s lack of tax-free procuring drives travellers to spend in Europe.

Data overlaying worldwide guests from the USA, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and south-east Asia areas from a pattern of 11 main retailers reveals that while the UK has recovered post-pandemic to 64 per cent of

2019 ranges of shopper spending, Italy is at 79 per cent, Spain at 84 per cent and France, which is benefiting most from the UK Government’s determination to take away tax-free procuring, has recovered to 108 per cent.

Looking at particular person nationalities, the variations turn into much more pronounced. For USA guests, the UK is again to 101 per cent of 2019 spend. However, Italy is having fun with spending from US guests at 190 per cent of 2019 ranges. Spain is as much as 201 per cent and France is at a staggering 226 per cent.

For GCC guests, the UK is at solely 65 per cent of 2019 ranges while Spain is already at 158 per cent, Italy at 166 per cent, and France topping out at 198 per cent.

In addition, UK residents are beginning to reap the benefits of tax-free procuring in Europe, with £450million disappearing from excessive streets.

It is evident that the removing of tax-free procuring is popping into a rare personal aim for the UK.

We perceive that there are pressures on the general public funds these days. But the proof reveals that reinstating tax-free procuring can be a win for each enterprise and the taxpayer.

We name on you to assume once more.

Yours sincerely,

Rocco Forte Hotels Sir Rocco Forte Chairman

British Airways Sean Doyle CEO and Chairman

Mulberry Thierry Andretta CEO

Kurt Geiger Neil Clifford CEO

British Fashion Council Caroline Rush CEO

Royal Opera House Alex Beard CEO

Anya Hindmarch Anya Hindmarch Founder & CEO

Heathrow Airport Thomas Woldbye Chief Executive

Paul Smith Sir Paul Smith Designer

Fortnum & Mason Tom Athron CEO

Burberry Jonathan Akeroyd CEO

Walpole Helen Brocklebank CEO

Jimmy Choo Hannah Colman CEO

Dorchester Collection Christopher Cowdray CEO

New West End Company Dee Corsi CEO

Association of International Retail Paul Barnes CEO

Alexander McQueen Gianfilippo Testa CEO

Claridge’s Paul Jackson General Manager

Harvey Nichols Manju Malhotra CEO

Bicester Village John Durnin Business Director

The Berkeley Knut Wylde General Manager

Nyetimber Eric Heerema Chairman and CEO

Kiki McDonough Kiki McDonough Founder and Creative Director

The Connaught Sandeep Bhalla General Manager

Theo Fennell Theo Fennell Founder

Iconic Luxury Hotels Andrew Stembridge Executive Director

The Savoy London Franck X Arnold Regional Vice President and Managing Director

Wedgwood Christian Bachler Executive Vice President

Hotel Café Royal Guillaume Marly Managing Director

Grosvenor House Suites Andrew Henning General Manager

Fabergé Antony Lindsay CEO

Corinthia London Thomas Kochs Managing Director

Boodles Michael Wainwright Managing Director

Mosimann’s Private Dining Club Philipp and Mark Mosimann Joint Managing Directors

Rosewood London Michael Bonsor Managing Director

Design Centre Chelsea Harbour Claire German CEO

Julia Carrick Luxury Julia Carrick CEO

Cadogan Hugh Seaborn CVO and CEO

Elizabeth Gage Elizabeth Gage & Joanne Rees Managing Director

Pickett Trevor Pickett CEO

Watches of Switzerland Group Brian Duffy CEO

Halcyon Days and The Caverswall China Company Pamela Harper Chairman and CEO

Bremont Watch Company Giles English Co-Founder

Como Holdings Chris Roberts Managing Director

Hirsh London Sophia Hirsh Managing Director

Franchetti Bond Nicholas Bond Owner and Director

Somlo Antiques London George Somlo Director

Liberty London Adil Mehboob-Khan CEO

Temperley London Luca Donnini CEO

Global Blue (UK) Derrick Hardman Managing Director

Seiko UK David Edwards Managing Director

Ettinger London Robert Ettinger CEO

Pragnell Charlie Pragnell Managing Director

Annoushka Jewellery Annoushka Ducas Founder and Creative Director

Erdem Erdem Moralioglu/ Philippa Nixon Designer/ CEO

Gemfields Sean Gilbertson CEO

Bucherer UK Adrian Maronneau Managing Director

Sunspel Limited Nicholas Brooke CEO

Henry Poole Simon Cundey Managing Director

Tricker’s Martin Mason Managing Director

Derek Rose Sacha Rose CEO

Gusbourne Fine English Wines Charlie Holland CEO

DR Harris Julian Moore Managing Director

Edward Green Hilary Freeman Managing Director

Roksanda Jamie Gill Executive Director

Johnstons of Elgin Chris Gaffney CEO

Knightsbridge Partnership and King’s Road Partnership Steven Medway Chief Executive

The Wolseley Hospitality Group Baton Berisha CEO

Somerset House Trust Jonathan Reekie Director

The White Company Chrissie Rucker/ Mary Homer Founder/ CEO

Philip Mould and Company Philip Mould Founder

E P O Ok Prudence Gibson Founder and Creative Director

Hauser and Wirth Ewan Venters CEO

David Morris Jewels Jeremy Morris CEO and Creative Director

Emma Willis Emma Willis Owner

The Athenaeum Hotel and Residences Joanne Taylor-Stagg General Manager

Bentley and Skinner Mark Evans Managing Director

Lock and Co. Hatters Ben Dalrymple Managing Director

Emmy London Emmy Scarterfield/ Dickie Higgins Designer/ Managing Director

Deakin and Francis Henry Deakin Managing Director

Gaziano and Girling Dean Girling Director

Chelsea Physic Garden Sue Medway Director

Duke and Dexter Archie Hewlett Founder

Fedro Gaudenzi Fedro Gaudenzi Founder and Director

Cheaney Shoes Jonathan Church Joint Managing Director

FMS Irene Mateides Founder and Publishing Director

Richard Ogden Robert Ogden Executive Director

Thomas Goode and Co. Andrew Guest Commercial Director

Berry Bros. and Rudd Emma Fox Chief Executive

Lalage Beaumont Lalage Beaumont Owner

Crockett and Jones Steve Murdoch Head of Retail Operations

Burlington Arcade Roger Thornton Head of Property

Cad & Dandy James Sleater Director

Hamilton and Inches Victoria Houghton CEO

Really Wild Clothing Natalie Lake Managing Director

Pippa Anderson Pippa Anderson Owner

Joanna Wood Joanna Wood CEO

Gosling Tim Gosling Director

EmmaJane Knight EmmaJane Knight Founder

N. Peal Adam Holdsworth Owner and Creative Director

Garrard Joanne Milner Chief Executive

Heart of London Business Alliance Ros Morgan Chief Executive

Loquet London Sheherazade Goldsmith Co-founder and Designer

Peggy Porschen Group Peggy Porschen Creative Director

Piccadilly Vaults Simon MacLachlan Owner & Director

Winser London Kim L Winser Founder & CEO

Norton & Sons Martin Nicholls Managing Director

Susannah Lovis Jewellers Susannah Lovis Owner

Martel+Ram Kevin Martel Founder

Wildsmith Jewellery Matthew Wildsmith Owner

Victoria Beckham Marie Leblanc CEO

Wartski Kieran McCarthy Joint Managing Director

Huntsman Taj Phull Managing Director

Anderson & Sheppard Anda Rowland Vice Chaiman

Gentlemen’s Tonic Olivier Bonnefoy Founder

Minotti London Anke Summerhill Creative director and Owner

Stephen Webster Stephen Webster Founder & Creative Director

Planet Tobias Caesari Senior Vice President, UK & Ireland

Zambuni Claire Zambuni Director & Founder

ambustum Sari Wildsmith Founder

Dege & Skinner William Skinner Managing Director

Swaine Carine de Koenigswarter CEO

Casa By JJ Josephine Jenno Founder

Adret Adam Rogers Owner

Twilight Trees Susie Reid Thomas Founder and Creative Director

Marks & Spencer Stuart Machin CEO

Edward Sexton Dominic Sebag-Montefiore Managing Director

Fiona Finds Fiona Dreesmann Founder

Fox Umbrellas Paul Garrett Managing Director

Percy & Reed Shannon de Boissard Founding Partner & CEO

Morley Stores Group Bernard Dreesmann Chairman

Caroline Andrew Caroline Andrew Founder

Budd (Shirt Makers) Stephen Murphy Chairman

Sharpham Park Roger Saul Owner

LAPADA Freya Simms CEO

Hancock & Co. Stephen Burton Managing Director

Airport Operators Association Karen Dee Chief Executive

Regional and City Airports (together with Exeter, Norwich and Bournemouth Airports) Andrew Bell Chief Executive

Cardiff Airport Spencer Birns Chief Executive

AGS Airports (together with Aberdeen, Glasgow & Southampton Airports) Andy Cliffe Chief Executive

Manchester Airports Group (incl Manchester, E Midlands & Stansted Airports) Charlie Cornish Group Chief Executive

Edinburgh Airport Gordon Dewar Chief Executive

City of Derry Airport Steve Frazer Managing Director

Leeds Bradford Airport Vincent Hodder Chief Executive

Newcastle Airport Nick Jones Chief Executive

Belfast International Airport Graham Keddie Managing Director

Bristol Airport Dave Lees Chief Executive

London Luton Airport Alberto Martin Chief Executive

London City Airport Robert Sinclair Chief Executive

Gatwick Airport Stewart Wingate Chief Executive

Buccellati Lord Bruce Dundas Managing Director

Andrew Black Bespoke, Savile Row Andrew Black CEO & Founder

Holland and Sherry Lindsay Taylor Director

Nourbel & Le Cavelier Georges Karam Founder

Saloni Saloni Lodha Founder

Loop Generation Piotr Krzymowski Co-Founder

JR Tusting Alistair Tusting Managing Director

Ally Capellino Alison Lloyd Founder & Creative Head

Authentic Bespoke Rebecca Simonds CEO

JD Docherty Jonathan Docherty Director

V V Rouleaux Richard Lewis Owner

Veere Grenney Associates Veere Grenney Owner

Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler Wendy Nicholls Managing Director

Mason & Sons David Mason CEO

AGO Hotels Lionel Benjamin Co-Founder

Lore Group David Taylor CEO

Trotters Childrenswear Richard Ross Chairman and Co Founder

Be London Apartments Andrew Thomson General Manager

Royal Lancaster London Sally Beck General Manager

Mamas & Papas Mark Saunders Executive Chairman

Bespoke Hotels Robin Sheppard President

The Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels Philip Lewis General Manager

Wellbrook Hospitality & LEVEN Hotels Timothy Griffin Co-Founder & Principal

Flemings Mayfair Henrik Muehle Managing Director

The Dilly James Olivier General Manager

Manicomio Restaurant Group Ninai Zarach Director

Bulgari Hotel London Kostas Sfaltos General Manager

Dix-Sept Sophie Goodbrey Owner

Georgian House Hotel Serena von der Heyde Partner

Laird Hatters Zofia Torun-Shaw Director

Christys’ London & CW Headdress Jonathan Boston Managing Director

Dakota Hotels Matt Townley Regional Operations Director

Essential Edinburgh Roddy Smith Chief Executive

Cheapside Business Alliance & London HQ Ruth Duston Executive Director

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Torsten van Dulleman Area Vice President

Hyatt Hotels Corporation Arnaud de Saint-Exupéry Area Vice President / General Manager

Longchamp Hector Cassegrain Managing Director

The Langham London Bob van den Oord Managing Director & Regional Vice President Opertions

The Deck London Daisy Knatchbull Founder

Jenny Packham (London) Mathew Anderson CEO

Central Business Alliance Business Improvement District Alexander Jan Chairman

Selfridges Andrew Keith Managing Director

AllSaints & John Varvatos Peter Wood CEO

Supreme Creations/ Bags of Ethics Dr Sri Sriram Managing Director

Accor Europe & North Africa Aiden McAuley Chief Operating Officer Managed Hotels

Holiday Inn Kensington Simon McLaughlin General Manager

The Ritz London Sal Gowili General Manager

Ferragamo UK Vincenzo Equestre Chairman

The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions Bernard Donoghue Director

Astley Clarke Scott Thomson CEO

Irene Forte Skincare Irene Forte CEO & Founder

Farfetch Stephanie Phair Group President

Symbolic & Chase Martin Travis Managing Director

The Beaumont Hotel Duncan Palmer Managing Director

agnes b Marnie Serpell Managing Director

Blue Orchid Hotels Tony Matharu Executive Chairman

The Shaftesbury Theatre James Williams Chief Executive

Society Of London Theatre Claire Walker & Hannah Essex Co-CEOs

Imperial London Hotels Alex Walduck Director

Jo Hansford Joanna Hansford Managing Director

Gladwelll & Patterson Emily Campin Director

A Murphy Shoe Andy Murphy Director

Conde Nast Britain Vanessa Kingori Chief Business Operator

Nobu Hotel London Grant Campbell General Manager

Jeeves James Timpson Owner

Galvin Restaurants Chris Galvin Chef/Patron

SIRPLUS Henry Hales Founder

Sanderson Design Group Lisa Montague CEO

The Swatch Group (UK) Andrea Nunziata Managing Director

Vilebrequin Maria Venegas UK Country Manager

Laurent-Perrier UK Daniel Brennan Brand Director

The Goring Jeremy Goring Chief Executive

Begg x Co Oscar Macdonald Global Commercial Director

Mou Limited Shelley Tichborne Founder & CEO

Fairfax and Favor Felix Parker Founder

Baudoin & Lange Bo van Langeveld Founder & CEO

APML Estate Mike Sadler Director

ROX Diamonds & Thrills Kyron Keogh Co-Founder & Managing Director

Jigsaw Beth Butterwick CEO

F. Hinds the Jewellers Andrew Hinds Chairman

Browns (Fashion) Elizabeth von der Goltz CEO

Osborne Samuel Gordon Samuel Founder

Robert Langford Philippa Gibson Trade Sales Manager

Flo Bayley Flo Bayley Director

Norton and Sons Gina Gibbons Manager

Alidad Sama Chanda Director

The House of Bruar Patrick Birkbeck Managing Director

Deirdre Dyson Carpets Lady Deirdre Dyson Founder & CEO

Mozartfest Sir David Bell Chair

Bamford Watch Department & Bamford London George Bamford Founder & CEO

The Really Useful Group Lord Lloyd Webber Owner

Brook Taverner Jason Scott Owner

Asprey London John Rigas Executive Chairman

The Royal Fine Art Commission Trust Professor Stephen Bayley Chairman

Poster Girl Daliah Hearn Global Chief Operating Officer

Gieves & Hawkes Thomas Muers-Raby CMO

Threadology Jason Gerrard CEO

Favourbrook Oliver Spencer Founder & CEO

Azza Fahmy Fatma Ghaly CEO

Raffles London on the OWO (Old War Office) Philippe Leboeuf Managing Director

George Cleverley George Glasgow Jr CEO

Scabal UK Andrew P. Goldberg National Sales Manager

Joss Graham Gallery Joss Graham Owner

Fiona Pearce Art Fiona Pearce Landscape Artist

Minotti London Digby Summerhill Managing Director

Dargie Lewis Designs Lavinia Dargie Founder & Interior Designer

Taylor Howes Karen Howes CEO

Michael Rose Jewels Michael Rose Director

Suzi Searle Interiors Suzi Searle Founder & Interior Designer

Bellamy’s Restaurant Gavin Rankin Managing Director

Goodwin & Goodwin Viviane Goodwin Founder & Managing Director

Jon Rhodes Curtain Makers Jon Rhodes Founder & CEO

Colefax and Fowler Cyrille-Adrien Bordas Showroom Manager

Million Dreams Media Sami Helakorpi Founder & Creative Director

Metropolitan Gaming Michael Silberling CEO

Kate Bingham Interior Design Kate Bingham Owner

Catherine Best Jewellery Catherine Best/Paul Freeman Founder & Creative Director/Managing Director

The Hippodrome Casino Simon Thomas Executive Chairman

William & Son William & Lucy Asprey Chairman/Founder

Crown London Aspinalls Michael Branson Managing Director

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Demetra Pinsent CEO

The Gleneagles Hotel Conor O’Leary General Manager

Tessa Kennedy Tessa Kennedy Owner

Hockley Smith Fine Art Consulting Matthew Hockley Smith Director

Italia Accessories Lidia Festa Director

Fenwick John Edgar CEO

Cordings of Piccadilly Noll Uloth Managing Director

John Smedley Ian Maclean Managing Director

Roja Parfums Audrey Minard CEO

Floris Edward Bodenham Perfumery Director

Huddersfield Fine Worsteds Iain Milligan Managing Director

RubyKite Joy Leese Director

Araminta Campbell Araminta Birse-Stewart Founder & Creative Director

ENO (English National Opera) and London Coliseum Stuart Murphy Chief Executive

Ukinbound Joss Croft CEO

McRostie of Glasgow Colin Campbell/Kareen Campbell Director/Director

Pan Pacific Hotels Group Anne Golden Vice President of Operations for UK and North America

Visit Greenwich Barrie Kelly CEO

ExCeL London Jeremy Rees CEO

The Celtic Manor Resort Ian Edwards Chief Executive

Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, Edinburgh Kieran Quinn General Manager

The Castle Hotel Windsor Sam Goss General Manager

Institute of Hospitality Robert Richardson Chief Executive

Hilton London Bankside James Clarke General Manager

Tate Maria Balshaw Director

Royal Academy of Arts Axel Rüger Secretary & Chief Executive

Shakespeare’s Globe Neil Constable Chief Executive

British BIDs (Business Improvement Districts) Nic Durston Chair

Champagne Bollinger UK Victoria Carfantan Director

The Old Vic Laura Stevenson Executive Director

Red Carnation Hotels Jonathan Raggett CEO

Mayculter House Peter Walker Managing Director

Mercure Paignton Jason Parry General Manager

South Bank Employers’ Group David Sharpe Chair

South Bank Business Improvement District Govert Deketh Chair

Lime Wood Group & Home Grown Hotels Robin Hutson Chairman

AA Media Simon Numphud Managing Director

pphe Hotel Group Daniel Pedreschi Regional Vice President Operations, UK

The Vintage Watch Company David Silver Managing Director/Owner

David Duggan Watches David Duggan Owner/Managing Director

Joshua Kane Bespoke Joshua Kane Owner/Founder

Eastwell Manor James McComas General Manager

Isaia Michael Lord UK Manager

Nexalert Cengiz Ilhan Owner

Richard Miers Garden Designer Richard Miers Owner

John Cullen Lighting Sally Storey Creative Director

Park Plaza Stefanie Hardy General Manager

The Ned Gareth Banner Group Managing Director

Bicester Hotel Golf & Spa Andrew Oxley Resort General Manager

The British Emporium Adrian North Managing Director

Southbank Centre Elaine Bedell CEO

Sadlers Wells Trust Sir Alistair Spalding Artistic Director & CEO

Denman & Goddard David Cook Managing Director

Aviator Hotel Hampshire Adam Skrzypczak General Manager

Primark Paul Marchant Chief Executive

British Retail Consortium Helen Dickinson CEO

The Ropewalks Hotel, Liverpool Paul Bayliss General Manager

National Portrait Gallery Nicholas Cullinan Director

AB Hotels Rafi Bejerano Director

Vivienne Westwood Carlo D’Amario CEO

Bloomsbury Opco Neil Braude Group Operations Officer

Icon Outlet on the O2 Janine Constantin-Russell Managing Director

Bard Scotland James Stevens Director

Celtic Leathercraft Natalie McMullan Partner

Manolo Blahnik Kristina Blahnik CEO

Bentleys London Tim Bent Founder & Owner

Oliver Brown Kristian Ferner Robson Founder

Chauffeur Tour Scotland Jane Richmond Owner

b2me Tourism Marketing Mike Newman Managing Director

The Tourism Media Group Robert Way Director

Vox Group Massimo Primerano Managing Director

Visit Kent & Visit Herts Deidre Wells CEO

Helentours Concierge Management Ilia Poliakov Director

Visit Moray Speyside Gemma Cruickshank CEO

Dormeuil Alec Parkinson Head of UK Sales

Airlines for America Keith Glatz Senior Vice President for International Affairs

Oliver Brown Kristian Ferner Robson Founder

Edwardian Hotels 3Inderneel Singh CEO

The Glenturret John Laurie Managing Director

Horizons Casino Jeremy Cummins Director

Boisdale Restaurants Mark Hadsley-Chaplin Chairman

Arthur Sleep Shoes Jahangir Azam/Christopher Boadle Co-founders

Chrysalis Clothes Christopher & Charlotte Blackmore Founder & General Manager

John Lobb William Lobb Director

Malone Souliers Steven Hope CEO

The Dune Group Daniel Rubin Founder & Chairman

The Londoner, Edwardian Hotels London Charles P. Oak Hotel Director

Capital Arches Group Claude Abi-Gerges Managing Director

Cassandra Goad Cassandra Goad Founder

The Twenty Two Hotel Michelle Walder Managing Director

Running Hare Restaurants David Taylor Director

SMASH Operations Abel Campos Owner

Giorgio Armani Gerry Fedak CEO

Richard Haworth Raj Ruia CEO

SeeWoo UK Lucy Tse-Mitchell CEO

Chinatown Stakeholders Christine Yau Vice Chair

Goodwood Tracey Greaves Chief Commercial Officer

Royal China Group Kwan Lam CEO

Genting Casinos Paul Willcock President & COO

ResortsWorld Birmingham Jon Duffy Senior Vice President

Montcalm Hotels Samantha van Exter Head of Hotels

Sophie’s Steakhouse Rupert Power & Sophie Bathgate Managing Directors

Change Group International Sacha Alexander Zackariya CEO

The Diamond Lab Jamie Amelia Patel Founder

Simon Carter Simon Carter CEO

Fox Soho Maintenance Sue Fox Director

Instant Karma Retail Chandra Goyal Managing Director

Balans David Taylor Owner

Topnotch Soho Tom Ward Business Manager

West End Drinks Alexandra Robson CEO

Vasco & Pieros Pavilion Paul Matteucci Director

Randall and Aubin Jamie Poulton Owner

The Arts Theatre Club Maria Constantinou Director

Soho Business Alliance Jo May Company Secretary

Henson’s Hospitality Francesco Delfino Business Partner

Inception Group Charlie Gilkes Founder

Thirst Bar Alistair Thompson Owner

Beasy Soho Gabriel Iliopoulos Director

Kricket Rik Campbell Founder

92 Dean St Fredrik Korallus CEO

SML Mark Abraham Director

SOLA Victor Garvey Chef Patron

Soho Estates John James Managing Director

Zebrano Orinta Kilaite Director

No Escape Darrell Johnston Director

Karma Sanctum Soho Mark Fuller CEO

Belstaff Frances Millar CEO

Capital Arches Group (t/a McDonald’s) Claude Abi-Gerges Managing Director

Superdry Julian Dunkerton Co-founder and CEO

Cedar Capital Partners Ramsey Mankarious CEO

CTS Cleaning Solutions Peter Cooke Managing Director

Buffo (ZIMA Russian Restaurant) Lukas Rackauskas Director

Lewis Wark Martyn Lewis Director

Osprey London Alexandra Ellisdon Chief Operating Officer and Creative Director

National Army Museum Justin Maciejewski Director

Burger and Lobster Agi Zawadka Operations

New Evaristo Club Patricia Bergonzi Club proprietor

Outernet Venue Karrie Goldberg Partner

MANinLONDON Alan Greenhalgh Editor

Laurence Coste Laurence Coste Owner & CEO

Antich Group David Antich Owner & Managing Director

Breitling UK Gavin Murphy Managing Director

Carrs of Sheffield Richard Carr Managing Director

Rachel Vosper Rachel Vosper Managing Director

Hill House Interiors Helen Bygraves Founder/Director

Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery Matthew Sturgis Director

Montague Ede Antonia Ede Founder

Thom Sweeney Thom Widdett Founder

Lea and Sandeman Charles Lea Director

Holts Group Jason Holt Founder

The Leonard Hotel and Apartments Paul Sehgal Director/Owner

Fruity Booty Hattie Tennant CEO

Ethos Farm Sally Alington Founder & CEO

Emerald and Tiger Jasmin Harsono Director & Founder

Connolly Isabel Ettedgui Owner

Pullbrook & Gould Ed Hynes Director of Finance

The Entertainer Andrew Murphy Group CEO

Hanover Healthfoods, Edinburgh John McKee Director

Bonadea Gemma Martinez de Ana Founder

SJP Tableware Stephen Parrett Managing Director

Regent Street Services Matthew King Managing Director

World Gaming Tech James Thomas Owner & Managing Director

Cubitts Tom Broughton CEO

Dahlgren Duck Alejandro Hahn Managing Director

Federation of Small Businesses Craig Beaumont Director

Equality Edge Michael Lassman Founder

Exposed Design Consulting David Clare Founder

Keep it Simple Grace Graham Founder

Federation of Small Businesses (Scotland) Colin Borland Head of Scotland

Elephant House International Andrew McRae Founder

Real Point Designs and West Midlands Mayor advisory group Ian O’Donnell Founder

Hygrove Group and Federation of Small Businesses (Wales) Ben Francis Director

Sweet Dough Things Gbemi Shitta Founder

Julie Deane Julie Deane Founder

Laura Timm Laura Timm Business Consultant

Michael Weeden Michael Weeden Business advisor

NRBY Clothing Jo Hooper CEO

Alternative Investments Exchange Viv Watts CEO

Lado Sarai (t/a Beulah London) Lavinia Richards Director

Turkmen Gallery Omar Masom Owner

British Chambers of Commerce Shevaun Haviland Director General

Battersea Power Station Simon Murphy CEO

Silverstone Museum Phil Lawrie CEO

Experience Oxfordshire Hayley Beer Gamage CEO

GoToPlaces (Visit Kent & Visit Herts) Deirdre Wells CEO

VisitAberdeenshire Chris Foy CEO

Visit Peak District & Derbyshire Jo Dilley Managing Director

Tours International Lana Bennett CEO

AC Travel Group Per Jansson Founder & Managing Director

The Old Royal Naval College Matthew Mees CEO

GTi Travel Group Jimmy Greene Director

Travel Trade Group Angelo Bonuglia Director

McKinlay Kidd Robert Kidd Founder & Chair

Timberbush Tours Steve Spalding CEO

VOX Tours Massimo Primerano & John Boulding Managing Director & CMO

Igo Travel Huan Zeng Managing Director

Best of Scotland Holidays Duncan Dewar CEO

Mountain Goat Tours and Holidays Stephen Broughton CEO

Bespoke England Tours David Garcia Founder & Owner

Learn Away Adelle Barnett Founder & Managing Director

Tourists Travel Bureau UK Mohasin Mohammed Managing Director

Guanxi Helena Beard Managing Director

The Beatles Story Mary Chadwick General Manager

Go City Limited Neville Doe CFO

Attraction World Group Olly Nicholls Group Chief Executive Officer

Angela Shanley Associates Anak McSporran Managing Director

Henrietta Ferguson Luxury Tours Henrietta Ferguson CEO & Co Founder

ASA Tours Alexander and Ivano Rugger Managing Director

Cashel Group of Companies James Aitken CEO

Best Of Tours Gaëlle Dulac Co-Founder

Evan Evans Tours Tom Macklin Managing Director

Destination Plymouth Amanda Lumley CEO

Richard Anderson Brian Lishak Director

Visit Inverness Loch Ness Don Johnstone CEO

Kingsmills Hotel Group Tony Story CEO

Adnams Brewery Andy Wood CEO

W.D. Coe William Coe Managing Director

China Red Kelvin Quick Owner

Marsham Court Hotel Rosie Radwell Managing Director

The Dolphin Poole John Grinnell Centre Manager

Cliveden House Francisco Macedo General Manager

Touchwood Solihull Tony Elvin General Manager

Selfridges Birmingham Sam Watson General Manager

Blackpool Airport Steve Peters Managing Director

Risdon and Risdon Carla Risdon Director

Heaven Health & Beauty Ella Cox Creative Director

Paisley First Natalie McShane Bid Manager

Liverpool John Lennon Airport Lucy O’Shaughnessy Commercial Director

Chester Bid Carl Critchlow CEO

Danbro Helen Broughton Co-Founder & CEO

OBAS UK Norman Tenray CEO

Cumbria Tourism Gill Haigh Managing Director

Crow Wood Leisure Andrew Brown Managing Director

Blackpool Transport Jane Cole Managing Director

MHA Danny Houghton Business Development Partner

Knox Margaret Travell Sales Director

The Melbreak Hotel Caroline Hughes General Manager

Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort Joe Gallacher General Manager

Align Partners Christopher King Managing Director

McArthurGlen Group David Jackson Centre Manager

Marketing Manchester Victoria Braddock Managing Director

Birmingham Airport Nick Barton CEO

West Midlands Tourism & Hospitality Advisory Board Andrew Lovett Chairman

Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa – Handpicked Hotels James Wiseman General Manager