A former government Director of Tourism who was made acting chairman of the Bermuda Tourism Authority board last year has been appointed as chairman.

William “Billy” Griffith will work alongside Shannah Butterfield, who will serve on the BTA’s board for three years.

Mr Griffith took over the position in March after the original chairman, Wayne Caines, quit the previous month.

Mr Griffith has worked as a leader in the tourism industry for more than four decades, with experience in hospitality, destination marketing and tourism development.

He graduated with honours in hotel management from the University of the West Indies and started his career at Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados.

In Bermuda, Mr Griffith’s work as general manager and executive director at various hotels earned him Hotelier of the Year award.

He served as Bermuda’s Director of Tourism and as chief executive officer of Barbados Tourism Marketing, where his work brought in record visitor growth and reignited international competitiveness.

He now serves on the Caribbean Tourism Organisation Executive Committee and is the founder and managing director of WCG Consulting, which advises clients and destinations around the world.

Mr Griffith said he was “deeply honoured” to continue as chairman in an official capacity.

He added: “This year represents an important reset focused on stabilising governance, strengthening culture and trust, appointing high-impact executive leadership and sharpening performance and accountability.

“Together, we will guide the development of Bermuda’s next National Tourism Plan, ensuring it is sustainable, evidence-based and aligned with our priorities, while positioning Bermuda’s tourism industry for long-term resilience, growth and shared prosperity.”

Ms Butterfield has a master’s degree in human resource management and is a certified senior human resource profession.

She has 20 years’ experience in the public and private sectors and serves on several other boards.

Ms Butterfield said: “I am very honoured to serve on this board and to work alongside fellow board members to support the growth of Bermuda's tourism economy.

“I look forward to us developing effective strategies that will strengthen the BTA and further lead towards sustainable talent development in the tourism sector.”

Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport, said he was glad that Mr Griffith and Ms Butterfield accepted their invitations to serve.

He added: “I am confident their professional backgrounds and passion for the industry will add valuable perspective to the board.

“They will join the current five directors, a team of corporate and tourism professionals dedicated to promoting Bermuda and driving economic growth.”

Mr Caines’ resignation came before a culture review into the BTA, which featured employees describing the atmosphere as unprofessional, domineering and lacking accountability and trust.

Twenty-three staff members resigned or left through mutual separation between June 1, 2022 and January 8, 2025.

The BTA’s board confirmed last March that two executive members of staff were on administrative leave.

While neither was named, they were understood to have been Tashae Thompson, the former vice-president of experiences, and Tracy Berkeley, then chief executive.

Ms Thompson, who joined the BTA in 2014, later resigned in May, while Ms Berkeley, who served in her position since June 2022, resigned the following month.

The search for a new chief executive continues.