Victoria Borwick appointed as Chair of VisitEngland Advisory Board
The Secretary of State has appointed Victoria Borwick as Chair of VisitEngland Advisory Board for a term of five years commencing 04 September 2023.
Victoria Borwick
Appointed from 04 September 2023 until 03 September 2028.
Following 20 years of commercial experience in the events and conference business, managing a division of the P&O group and attracting investment into the UK, Victoria Borwick had a political career building a network of connections across Westminster.
Victoria served as a local Councillor, Member of the Greater London Assembly (GLA), and Member of Parliament. Victoria worked with the Metropolitan Police and chaired their review into Public Order Policing and worked with Transport for London on improving transport accessibility. At the GLA, Victoria was Chairman of Health and Public Services, and represented the GLA on the London Health Commission.
Whilst at the GLA, Victoria served as the Statutory Deputy Mayor of London, delivering the agenda and promoting London and the Olympic games in 2012, which were held in 28 venues across the UK. Victoria has led on policy development, budgetary scrutiny, and community relations. Victoria was also a “GamesMaker” during the 2012 Olympic games.
Victoria’s love of heritage enabled her to be elected chairman of the British Antique Dealers Association for their 100-year anniversary. Victoria is Vice President of the River Thames Society and Chairman of the Thames Estuary Partnership a charity that conserves the natural heritage of the tidal Estuary, working in conjunction with the Environment Agency and Natural England. The Thames Estuary Partnership is working with stakeholders including the PLA, the GLA and riparian authorities on the Thames Estuary Strategy, to take into account all the opportunities along the tidal estuary.
For the last 5 years, Victoria has been delivering the Cherry Blossom Planting project which fulfils a MOU between Japan and UK to plant cherry blossom trees across the United Kingdom. Victoria has travelled throughout Britain and planted over 7,500 trees to date.
Recently, Victoria was working with a major utility company on regulatory affairs, stakeholder engagement and improving customer services.
Remuneration and Governance Code
The Chair of the VisitEngland Advisory Board is remunerated £345 per day. This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Victoria Borwick declared that she previously was an elected local Councillor, Greater London Assembly Member and Member of Parliament for the Conservative Party. She has previously canvassed prior to elections and has not stood for or obtained any political office since 2017. She remains an ex officio Vice President of her local Conservative Association, in recognition of her role as a former Member of Parliament.