Gillian Cruddas to step down as Chief Executive of Visit York

Mrs Cruddas, 57, will leave her position as Chief Executive of Visit York on October 31, after 18 years at the helm of the organisation and its predecessors.

She says she is looking forward now to exploring new challenges, and wants to take time out and keep her options open before deciding what to do next.

Asked whether a new chief executive would be appointed in her place, Visit York’s chair, Jane, Lady Gibson, said: “In respect to leadership of the organisation, it is anticipated there will be an interim Head of Visit York position whilst all options are explored.

She said Visit York was currently in the process of consulting with the travel trade, visitors, members and residents on key priorities for the future and how it could make tourism even more successful.

Mrs Cruddas, who was made an MBE for services to tourism in York in 2010, has worked in the sector for more than three decades.

She gained her first taste of the industry on the ski slopes of the Alps in the 1980s, promoted the DFDS sea routes as Area Sales Manager for the North East, worked as a hotel manager in the Scottish Highlands, had a spell as an Air Stewardess for Air UK and worked for Hull City Council as a tourism officer, where she was responsible for setting up Hull Conference Bureau.

A spokeswoman said that during her time with Visit York, she had been instrumental in winning numerous accolades for the city.

Mrs Cruddas said: “I’ve been fortunate to hold one of the best jobs in tourism and it has been a real privilege to have worked for eighteen years promoting this beautiful city.

“There have been so many highlights, such as Royal Ascot in York, collecting the European City of the Year award in Athens, launching our Stay Longer campaign with Sir Richard Branson and opening our new state of the art Visitor Centre.”

She thanked businesses in the city who had helped to develop York as an internationally renowned quality brand.