Welcome to Yorkshire placed in administration

The Welcome to Yorkshire tourism promotion organisation has been placed into administration.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The move comes less then than three years after Sheffield Council pulled funding in the operation after concerns were raised about expenses at the organisation following the resignation of its former chief executive Sir Gary Verity.

Read More
Sheffield suspends its membership of Welcome to Yorkshire

Chairman Peter Box said in a statement today: “It was with deep regret that last night the Board of Welcome to Yorkshire (WtY) took the decision to place the organisation into administration.

26 April 2018....Sir Gary Verity of Welcome to Yorkshire unveils a new piece of land art. Welcome to Yorkshie has now gone into administration. Picture Scott Merrylees26 April 2018....Sir Gary Verity of Welcome to Yorkshire unveils a new piece of land art. Welcome to Yorkshie has now gone into administration. Picture Scott Merrylees
26 April 2018....Sir Gary Verity of Welcome to Yorkshire unveils a new piece of land art. Welcome to Yorkshie has now gone into administration. Picture Scott Merrylees
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The past three years have been incredibly difficult for Board members and staff as we have endeavoured to deal with well-publicised legacy issues.

“These matters, coupled with the impact of Covid and the task of securing sufficient funding from the public and private sectors to place WtY on a sound financial footing, have made the situation increasingly challenging.

“The de Bois review of Destination Management Organisations could have created the opportunity for WtY to be given the structure and long-term funding required to move on, grow and develop into the organisation we believe it should be on behalf of Yorkshire and its people.

“Sadly, the decision of the Yorkshire Leaders not to commit to a multi-year funding package, whilst understandable, removed that pathway and means that WtY cannot continue in its present form.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Most importantly, I want to pay tribute to the team of talented and dedicated professional staff who have continued to do remarkable work in the toughest of circumstances to promote Yorkshire’s many attractions to the world. I offer my heartfelt thanks and wish them well in their future careers.

“I must also place on record my gratitude to those Board members who have remained with WtY, working selflessly in a collective effort to save the organisation from closure.

“It is my sincere hope that the public sector will recognise the value of a new regional Destination Management Organisation to build on the many achievements of WtY.

“This can offer our tourism industry the chance to move forward with a focused approach, deliver on regional priorities, and secure the best outcomes for everyone who visits, lives, works and studies in Yorkshire.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rob Adamson, Michael Kienlen and Daryl Warwick of Armstrong Watson LLP have been appointed as Joint Administrators of Welcome to Yorkshire on 1 March 2022.

The Joint Administrators intend to trade the Company for a period of time whilst they finalise a strategy to secure the best possible result for the creditors of the Company.

All queries should be directed via email to [email protected]

In April 2019, Sheffield Council suspended its annual £50,000 membership to Welcome to Yorkshire until investigations were completed into expenses claims by its former chief executive Sir Gary Verity.