AGTO, the Association of Group Travel Organisers, has appointed four new directors as it moves to further strengthen membership and travel trade engagement.

The new directors are Lynne Cooper, group travel trade manager with New Lanark Mills World Heritage Site, Joanna Freeman, marketing and social media executive with UK Parliament (the Houses of Parliament), Helen Goggin, sales manager at national Coach Holiday operator Alfa Travel, and Elizabeth Mounser (pictured here), proprietor of Yorkshire-based E. M. Consultancy. Stepping down from the Board are Martin Hay, proprietor of Bournemouth-based ocean, river and expedition cruise specialist Go Cruise, and Alex Jacobs, proprietor of Newcastle upon Tyne-based bespoke tour operator Northern Secrets.

Commenting on the changes, Wendy Hartley-Scarff, AGTO chief executive, says: “I’m delighted to welcome Lynne, Joanna, Helen and Elizabeth to the AGTO Board. They bring with them valuable experience that will play a key role as we continue to strengthen our membership and travel trade engagement. I would also like to pay my special thanks to Alex and Martin. Over the last few years they, along with our other directors, have been instrumental in the continued growth of AGTO. We are now in a strong position to further develop our position as the UK’s largest independent membership organisation supporting and representing the interests of individuals who organise travel for groups.”

One of the first tasks for the new Board is the planning of the 2020 AGTO Showcase Weekend, which takes place from 21 to 23 February at Ettington Chase, a 4-star hotel, event and conference centre close to Stratford-upon-Avon.