Mere weeks before Carnival 2020, chairman of the board of directors of the Tobago Festivals Commission Limited,
Dr Suzanne Burke has resigned.
Guardian Media understands that the resignation letter was delivered to secretary of Tourism, Culture and Transportation Nadine Stewart-Phillips yesterday.
In a correspondence sent to the media, Burke explained, “The strategic mandate to effect the transformation of Tobago’s festival ecology was not achievable given the current operating environment and decision making framework.”
She thanked the Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation for the opportunity to serve and wished the Tobago Festivals Commission Limited the best in all of their future endeavours.
Burke headed the seven member board, which was constituted in July 2019.
Secretary Stewart-Phillips has acknowledged receipt of the resignation letter and advised that the board will now be managed by deputy chairman Penelope Williams.
The commission is charged with the responsibility for planning, co-ordinating and implementing Tobago’s tourism and cultural festivals and other events within the ambit of the division.
Other members of the board include directors Verleen Bobb-Lewis; Shane Andrews; Anthony Arnold; Laurel Broomes-Rogers; Kieron McDougall and secretary to the board Cherish Trotman-O’Neil.
Its ex-officio members are Glenda Rose-Layne and Louis Lewis, CEO of the Tobago Tourism Agency.
