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news conference report
ttglive.com
ITT Conference 2009
June 8-10 ■ Dubai
Institute’s election, roles of board members, expansion plans and market
updates topped the conference agenda. The TTG team reports from Dubai
Transparency and
ITT board member Lawrence Assock believes
the two roles ought to be split.
“The constitution says the chairman is elected
leadership disputed
by us, and that’s not a paid position,” he said.
“The chief executive is appointed by the board,
and his responsibility and remuneration is decided
by the board and he can be removed at any time.”
by ITT election rivals
Stevens has called for more transparency in
the way the ITT operates during his campaign.
“For me it’s all about transparency. Steven
Freudmann has done a good job but he
needs controlling. The chief executive should be
I
TT chairman Steven Freudmann claims answerable to the board,” he said.
to have never lost an election during a
long and high-profile career as one of Principles and policy
travel’s political elite. Stevens backed Freudmann after the collapse
So no one would be surprised if he beats of his brother’s Unpackaged Holidays forced his
Affordable Travel Group director Michael resignation from the Abta board.
Stevens in the election for the travel agent But Stevens told TTG he was concerned that
category on the ITT board. decisions were taken without the board’s say so.
But though he might retain his place on the He also said he feared ITT was becoming
board, and in all likelihood his chairmanship, the an “old boys’ club”, moving away from its
result could be closer than expected. founding principles, when membership was
The election has thrown up issues on top earned through diplomas, not subscriptions.
of how board members qualify for the various In his closing speech in Dubai, Freudmann
electoral categories. The campaign has seen listed a number of initiatives that the ITT is
Freudmann distance himself from his former implementing to open up the institute.
Majestic Travel agency (TTG June 12). These included a regional “Question Time”
In particular, Freudmann has defended his (the first is at Manchester airport in September)
dual role of chairman and chief executive – a and a bigger presence at World Travel Market.
paid post with a salary of more than £50,000. ITT is working with People 1st on a bid for a
travel and tourism national skills council, and will
Constitutional conundrum next year launch a diploma for 14 to 18-year-olds.
No one seems to doubt he has worked hard to Freudmann said he had not heard much about
turn the institute around from its dark days of policy initiatives from his rival for the board
financial scandal, and some believe no one else position, and insisted that ITT was democratic.
would take on the role of running it. “I have not heard any new ideas from the
But more than one delegate TTG spoke to last
“I have not heard any new
other candidate – any suggestions about policy,
week expressed surprise at the current situation training, education or events that would be
in which the ITT roles of chairman and chief ideas from the other offered,” he said.
executive are filled by the same person.
candidate – any suggestions
“I make no decisions without reference to the
Freudmann insisted that as a membership board. Every event, every conference and every
association, ITT was not like a normal company. about policy, training, major decision is decided by the board. There is
“This dual role works well. I enjoy that demo-
education or events”
nothing that is not democratic about ITT.”
cratic show of support that the chairmanship
gives me in my role as chief executive,” he said. Steven Freudmann ■ Full ITT conference coverage p16-19
14 19.06.2009
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