Tourism Shadow Board announces chairman

Local businessman John Henwood has been appointed to chair the new Shadow Board for Jersey Tourism. The Board’s role carries a number of responsibilities, but the principal task is to advise the Minister for Economic Development on the optimum operational and governance structure for the future of tourism in Jersey.

 

The Minister for Economic Development, Senator Alan Maclean, whose remit includes tourism, is delighted that Mr Henwood has accepted this important role. “This is a crucial appointment for the tourism industry which has had to face many competitive challenges in recent times.

 

"In John Henwood we have a business leader with a track record of success in a range of business activities who I am sure has the experience to lead the shadow board and to unite and inspire the industry.’’

 

John Henwood is encouraged by the support for the industry shown during the States debate, which ended with near unanimous support for the Minister’s Proposition to set up a shadow board.  He said “All contributors to the debate were supportive of tourism as a vital part of our economy and many spoke strongly in favour of the shadow board concept.

 

"I have spoken informally to a number of key players in leisure and hospitality and look forward to engaging the support and enthusiasm of the whole sector in the weeks and months to come.”

 

The Chairman’s first task, with the support of the States’ Appointment Commission, will be to appoint a board. Work on this has already begun. Mr Henwood will take up the appointment immediately and will receive an annual director’s fee of £12,500.

 

After a career in broadcasting during which he was Chief Executive of the Channel Television Group for 14 years and undertook a number of ITV industry responsibilities, Mr Henwood was appointed Chairman of Jersey Telecom and led the business through incorporation.

 

He was also a founder member of the board of Jersey Finance. He is currently non-executive chairman of G4S in Jersey and a director of Bailiwick Investments and LFH International.

 

John Henwood is a trustee of the St John Youth & Community Trust and President of the Chartered Institute of Marketing in Jersey. He was appointed MBE in 1998 for services to broadcasting and the community.