Board of Directors

Stephen Lorton (Chairman)

Commercial Director, Paultons Park Ltd

Steve has been Commercial Director of Paultons Park, one of the UK’s leading family attractions in the UK and home of Peppa Pig World for 14 years having previously spent 23 years working in the Automotive Aftermarket. During his career he gained experience in General Management, Supply Chain Management, Sales, Marketing and Manufacturing. Within New Forest Tourism Association Steve has served as Chairman for six years as well as holding
other roles on the Steering Group.

Steve spent his school years on the edge of the New Forest and now enjoys spending time in the Forest with his family and dog.

Anthony Climpson OBE

Chief Executive, Go New Forest

Anthony managed the transformation of Go New Forest out of New Forest District Council’s previous tourism service. He now leads the new not-for-profit Community Interest Company and is responsible for its community relationships, strategy and delivery. Anthony has enjoyed a long career in tourism, establishing Dorset’s first county tourism service before becoming NFDC Tourism Manager in 1987. The following year he created New Forest Tourism Association and is a Past President & Fellow of the Tourism Management Institute, Fellow of the Tourism Society and participant in many national/governmental tourism policy activities.

Founder of the VERB tourism model, Anthony achieved National Beacon Status from Government for sustainable tourism in the New Forest in 2004, was awarded OBE for services to tourism in 2005 and won Best Destination and Best Personal Contribution in 2007 World Responsible Tourism Awards. He is a passionate Swindon Town FC fan and drummer with local soulful jazz and reggae band the Blue Tides.

Stephen Munn

Commercial Director, Beaulieu Enterprises Limited

Beaulieu is home to the National Motor Museum where Stephen has responsibility for the day to day operations of this Visit England Awards for Excellence Large Attraction Gold winner.

Stephen has been in the visitor attraction industry for the last 20 years, having previously worked for the Sea Life centre brand.

As well as a member of the Board of Tourism South East, Past Chair and Vice Chair and current Committee Member of New Forest Tourism Association, he is also past Chairman of Destination Southampton and of the Hampshire Tourism Partnership. A fellow of both the Institute of Marketing and Tourism Society Stephen is also a founding Trustee and current Patron of a major local children’s charity, Cash for Kids.

Alison Wilson

Balmer Lawn

Alison Wilson graduated with a first class honours degree in Business Studies. Her early career was in logistics with the National Freight Consortium. Working on some high profile contracts including Harris Queensway, Argos and ICL, she went to run the prestigious BMW contract.

In 1992 she met her husband Chris Wilson and they acquired their first business, the Rose and Crown Hotel in Tring. Alison ran the business as Proprietor/Manager for three years. In 1997 they acquired the Balmer Lawn Hotel, and made Brockenhurst their home with three children. They have restored the Balmer Lawn over the last 20 years and are now very proud of the Four Stars and two AA Rosettes they hold.

Barry Rickman

Leader, New Forest District Council

A professional photographer, Barry has run his business in the New Forest for 35 years. His qualifications are AMPA, ARPS, Dip Phot. His main aim is to preserve the heritage of the Forest.

Married with two grown-up children, Barry lives in the village of Sway and instigated the Sway Jubilee Field project when he was Chairman of the Parish Council. He has succeeded in obtaining grants for village organisation including the Sway Youth Centre and new children's play facilities.

Barry is New Forest District Council's Leader, a Cabinet Member (Policy & Resources) and one of the 22 members of the New Forest National Park Authority.

Paul Sherry

Chairman New Forest Tourism Association

Paul has been an active entrepreneur for a number of years, having had experience as a trader on the Futures Exchange (LIFFE) in the City of London and in the blue-chip corporate sector, successfully holding senior roles in Sales and Marketing, and general management. Since moving to the New Forest he has set-up and delivered pilot schemes for children 'at risk' of exclusion.

Paul is Chairman of the New Forest Tourism Association.

As a commercial and social entrepreneur Paul understands how to balance the delivery of profit alongside the delivery of a social mission and charitable objectives. The culmination of the last three years has resulted in the imminent launch of C4Si, the Centre for Social Innovation.

Bobbie Lawrence

Shorefield Holidays

Bobbie has lived in the New Forest all his life. He has worked in the marketing team at Shorefield Holidays, his family business, for the last five years. He spent the five years prior to this working his way up from barman to duty manager to assistant operations manager.

After completing his BA degree in Fine Art at Central St. Martin’s and Camberwell in London in 2002, he worked in post-production for various companies including ITV.

In 2007, Bobbie moved back to his roots to join the family business he loves. Wanting a deeper understanding of tourism and his business, Bobbie completed a second degree in Tourism Park Management from Bournemouth University in 2015. focussing on Destination Marketing.

In his spare time Bobbie is an expert snowboarder. He gained his first teaching qualification in 2014 in Whistler, Canada and heads to the mountains as often as he can. He has run five full marathons for charity and is currently training for London 2018, his sixth. He loves walking his dogs in the New Forest, eating in nice restaurants and going to art exhibitions all over the place.