VisitBritain, the national tourism agency, has announced a number of key appointments as part of proposals regarding the restructure of VisitBritain to support the emerging conclusions of the British Tourism Framework Review, due to be published in October.

The restructure responds to the increased devolution of public sector responsibility for tourism to Scotland, Wales, London and the English regions over recent years as well as to the recent cut in Government funding for VisitBritain.

Keith Beecham, currently acting regional director for Europe, will return to the UK at the end of the calendar year to be director, Overseas Network. Garry White – acting regional director for Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa – will become regional director for Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa based in Singapore and Alex Mawer will move to Hong Kong to head up VisitBritain’s operations in North Asia including China, Japan and Korea.

The appointments follow the announcement earlier this month of the move by Laurence Bresh – currently general manager for England marketing – to the role of regional director for Europe.

Tom Wright, chief executive of VisitBritain, says: “I am pleased to announce these senior appointments, which reflect our priorities as we reshape the organisation to ensure we continue to punch our weight in an increasingly competitive market and work in collaboration with all the nations and regions of Britain.”