The SS Great Britain Trust, the charity that manages Brunel’s SS Great Britain, has appointed former Visit England chief executive James Berresford as a trustee.
James, pictured, brings a wealth of experience to the role. During his tenure with Visit England he responsible for formulating the country’s first national tourism strategy.
He now chairs several tourism organisations including the Isles of Scilly Tourism Partnership and Buxton Crescent and Thermal Spa Heritage Trust. 
He is a non-executive board member for Peak District based leisure company Pinelog.
He said: “Brunel’s SS Great Britain is an iconic landmark in Bristol and beyond, and I am delighted to have the privilege of becoming a trustee ahead of the opening in 2018 of the national Being Brunel museum.
“I am looking forward to working with a team who continue to inspire current and future generations at an exciting time for the organisation.”
Trust director and chief executive Dr Matthew Tanner MBE added: “We are thrilled to welcome James to the Board and I am sure he will bring a fresh perspective to our ongoing projects. His knowledge of the tourism sector will be invaluable as we continue to explore new and exciting ways to engage our visitors.”
Brunel’s SS Great Britain is the world’s first great ocean liner and the most innovative steam ship of her time. Launched in 1843, the iron-hulled steamship revolutionised travel and set new standards in engineering, reliability and speed.
Today, it is is Bristol’s no 1 visitor attraction – as voted by the public on Trip Advisor – and home to the Brunel Institute, housing one of the world’s finest maritime and Brunel collections.
