Former transport secretary Justine Greening joins travel agent On The Beach board
The former Tory minister also runs the Social Mobility Pledge (On The Beach)
(Justine Greening OTB March 2021.jpg)Online travel agent On The Beach has appointed former transport secretary Justine Greening to its board.
It is the former Tory minister's first commercial role since stepping down as an MP ahead of the 2019 general election.
Greening, who started out as an accountant in the City and was the UK's first gay female cabinet minister, is joining the London-listed firm as a non-executive director from today.
The travel sector has been battered by the pandemic, and some industry leaders this week argued that the Budget did not offer enough additional support. Greening's extensive political links are likely to be useful to the company.
On The Beach chair, Richard Pennycook, said it was "a privilege" that Greening had chosen the firm for her first corporate board role, and said: "We look forward to working with her and benefiting from her extensive knowledge and expertise.
“As the travel sector recovers from the pandemic, we expect some fairly major reforms to the regulatory landscape. Justine’s experience, in and out of Westminster, will be invaluable as On the Beach navigates these reforms and pursues opportunities to grow our market share both in the UK and internationally.”
Greening said: “I am excited to be joining the Board of On the Beach at a time when the UK’s vaccine rollout continues apace, and consumers can look forward to the prospect of going on holiday again.
“Simon and his team have built a great business which puts the consumer at the forefront of everything that they do and I look forward to working with him, Richard and the wider Board as On the Beach continues on its mission to be Europe’s leading online retailer of beach holidays.”
The company has seen shares rebound in recent weeks as hopes for summer holiday travel overseas rise.
Last month the firm's chief executive Simon Cooper stressed the company had strong cash reserves and sees the current crisis as an opportunity to build its brand and relationship with hotels in popular beach holiday resorts.
Greening also runs The Social Mobility Pledge - a drive to make workplaces in London and around the country more diverse, and open up chances for disadvantaged young people. It has signed up hundreds of businesses to date.
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