As the boss of a private hire transport company, Ms Beacom was a fairly controversial selection to run what was established as a controversial States quango, especially when a majority of the island’s hoteliers were actively lobbying against the establishment of the TMB.
Ms Beacom led the TMB through its first years, developing a tourism framework for the States’ Economic Development committee, and served three years almost to the day.
Now that her contracted term has ended, she is being temporarily replaced by two industry figures, one from outside the island.
Charlie Walker, managing director at the Little Big Hotel Group, and Clare Crowson from tour operator Premier Holidays will co-chair the board.
‘Ensuring that the future strategic aims of the TMB are ambitious is my primary focus,’ said Ms Walker.
‘With the strong support of the committee, I’m certain that our resilient sector will collaborate greater than ever to achieve those goals.’
Ms Walker has been involved with the TMB since its inception as its former vice-chair.
Ms Crowson is the senior partnerships manager at Premier Holidays, which is a member of the Guernsey Hospitality Association and works across the Channel Islands and the UK. She will ensure the views of off-island parties are properly considered.
‘I’m extremely proud of the progress the TMB has made in uniting the tourism industry,’ she said.
‘It is a vital forum for collaboration, ensuring industry insight directly informs strategic direction. Following a strong 2025 season, we are well positioned to build on this success and continue developing a sustainable, competitive tourism offering for the Bailiwick.’
The appointment of the new chairs is on an interim basis, while the TMB is under its third-year review.
Tourism lead for the Economic Development committee, Deputy Lee Van Katwyk, thanked Ms Beacom for her work in ensuring the TMB supported the committee’s aspirations for the industry.
‘Her support has been very useful since the election in allowing the committee to hit the ground running,’ he said.
‘Between Charlie and Clare, I’m confident that the TMB is being passed into good hands, and will continue to support the committee effectively. It has always been important that the TMB represents a wide range of voices, and having two experienced members of the industry co-chairing, both with very different perspectives, will – we think – allow the TMB to be as effective as possible.
‘We are in the final year of the current agreement with the TMB, and therefore are required to review the role and structure of the body, and we are doing that now. Charlie and Clare’s input into how we can make further improvements will be key to informing what the future looks like. I know I speak for the whole committee when I say we look forward to working closely with them.’
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