The new board of the British Guild of Travel Writers (BGTW) took office on 1 February 2022, with Meera Dattani as chair and Antonia Windsor as vice-chair. 

Main image: the outgoing BGTW board, pictured in November 2021. Back row L to R: David Gordon, Stuart Render, Simon Willmore. Front row L to R: Meera Dattani, Diana Jarvis, Antonia Windsor, Susan Schwartz.

Stuart Render and Diana Jarvis remain on the board as Awards Director and Photographers' Representative respectively. Sarah Siese has joined the board as Commercial Director and Kav Dadfar has taken up the role of Membership Director.

Former chair Simon Willmore and former vice-chair / membership director Susan Schwartz have stepped down, having completed the maximum tenure of three years in their roles, and former Development Director David Gordon will step down to take on new responsibilities.

Meera Dattani, incoming chair, said: While it remains a difficult time for travel media and the travel industry, in many ways I relish the challenge of taking on the role of chair in this particular period, a path that has been navigated so well by outgoing chair Simon Willmore, vice-chair Susan Schwartz and others.

“Simon, Susan and previous board members have also done a great job of transforming the BGTW in recent years, by making it more relevant and creating a community for travel media. Over 85 new members have joined since April 2019 which speaks volumes.

“I've been a member since 2016 and on the board since summer 2020 in which time I've enjoyed chairing and organising webinars - we'll continue to provide a full calendar of training, debates and social events. Along with Antonia as vice-chair, board members Di, Stuart, Kav and Sarah, and Benita and Rob in the Secretariat, we'll ensure the BGTW continues to stay relevant by being adaptable, engaged, and socially conscious of the ever-changing world we write about.”

Simon Willmore, outgoing chair, said: "I cannot believe three years have passed already! It's been a turbulent time in the industry but I'm delighted that the BGTW has somehow done quite well. This is of course thanks to the hard work of the BGTW board members - it's been an honour to work with them.

“I believe the BGTW has done some of the most important work it has ever done in these last few years, including talks on decolonising travel writing and online meet-ups to keep people connected. We’ve grown our list of member benefits, organised the first-ever regional summer parties in Manchester, Bristol and Dublin and the first-ever BGTW photographers’ meet-up, and hosted perhaps the best gala dinner ever!

“Huge thanks to Benita and Rob in the Secretariat, the lifeblood of the Guild, as well as my incredible board members Meera, Antonia, Stuart, Diana and David and of course Susan, the best vice-chair I could have asked for. It's down to her hard work that our membership numbers are the highest they've been in a decade and the calibre of members remains phenomenal. 

"I wish Meera, Antonia and the new board the very best of luck - not that they need it. I know they’ll take the BGTW to highs I could only dream of!"

Antonia Windsor, incoming vice-chair, said: “I am looking forward to drawing on 20 years experience as a travel writer to advise and support Meera and the board in continuing its journey to become as relevant and useful as possible to today’s membership. I have been a member of the Guild myself for 11 years and in that time my career has gone from strength to strength.

“In what can often be a solitary profession, having the support and networking opportunities that the BGTW provides can be invaluable in creating lasting friendships and collaborations and a sense of having colleagues. Meera has already done great work as events director in growing the professional development arm of the organisation and I would like to see this get even stronger in the coming year, while ensuring we speak and are of value to every one of our increasingly diverse membership.”

Susan Schwartz, outgoing vice-chair, concluded: “As my term comes to an end, I want to thank all BGTW members for their support. It has been an honour to serve on the BGTW Board for two terms and I am really proud of what we have been able to achieve during such a difficult time. 

"I wish Meera, Antonia and the new board all the very best!"