LONDON.- Baroness Patience Wheatcroft, an ALVA Board member since 2012, will succeed the current Chairman, Lord Lee of Trafford, when he steps down at ALVA's AGM on Friday, September 18, 2020, after 30 years as the organisation's Chairman.

Lord (John) Lee, the founder Chairman of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, will be appointed President of ALVA at the AGM, and Baroness Wheatcroft will take over the chairmanship at that point.

Patience Wheatcroft is a former trustee and Deputy Chairman of the British Museum, a former Editor of the Sunday Telegraph, a former Editor of The Wall Street Journal Europe, and former Business Editor of The Times. She was appointed to the House of Lords in 2010 as a Conservative peer but since November 2019 she has sat as an unaffiliated peer. Baroness Wheatcroft's maiden speech in the House of Lords was on the importance of the UK tourism economy.




The AGM will be an opportunity to mark the organisation's 30th anniversary and the achievements of its Chairman, Lord Lee, and his passion, enthusiasm and advocacy for ALVA, its members and for UK tourism more broadly over many years.

Lord Lee, a former Tourism Minister in Mrs Thatcher's Government, was the founding Chairman of ALVA and has been the most consistent advocate for tourism in the House of Lords since he was appointed there in 2006.

Director and Chief Executive of ALVA, Bernard Donoghue, said “This is a significant moment for ALVA as we thank and congratulate Lord Lee on his exceptional service, leadership and achievements for ALVA and we are delighted that he has accepted the position of President upon his retirement as Chairman. I can think of no-one better than Baroness Wheatcroft to succeed Lord Lee. She has exceptional experience at the highest levels of journalism, especially in business, and has proved to be a passionate advocate for visitor attractions and UK tourism through her role at the British Museum and her work in the House of Lords.”

Lord Lee commented: “It has been a great privilege and pleasure to have chaired ALVA these past 30 years and now to be nominated as President. We have grown from less than a dozen members at formation to a current 70 with ALVA becoming one of the most respected and authoritative voices in the Tourism sector. Many friendships have been made with many members benefiting significantly from the cross-fertilisation of experiences and initiatives. Our lobbying activities have ranged from the original concept of a National Lottery to the present day unprecedented "crisis" problems faced by our members as a result of Covid-19. I am delighted that Patience will be succeeding me a Chairman and am confident that under the combined leadership of her and our Director Bernard Donoghue ALVA will continue to grow in both size and stature.”

Baroness Wheatcroft noted: “I’m delighted and somewhat daunted to be succeeding John as Chairman of ALVA. In a remarkable thirty-year leadership, he has made ALVA a powerhouse for the sector. I’m thrilled he has agreed to become President so his experience and wisdom will continue to benefit the organisation. This is a crucial period for our members, many of whom are facing unprecedented challenges in coping with COVID and its aftermath. Support for the institutions which make such a huge contribution to tourism and the U.K. economy has never been more vital and ALVA will have a pivotal role in achieving that. Our Chief Executive, Bernard Donoghue, will continue to be an extraordinarily energetic and effective voice for the sector. I’m excited at the prospect of working with him on behalf of the country’s great visitor attractions.”