Heartfelt congratulations from holiday parks across the UK were received this winter by Jeanette Wilson after she was made an MBE in the 2016 New Year Honours Lists.
A well-known figure within the industry, Jeanette’s award celebrates her long and highly valued services to the holiday parks sector over a period of more than 20 years. Edinburgh-based Jeanette is best known for her role as policy director for BH&HPA Scotland, and for the part she plays in helping promote the Best of British group of top-rated independent parks.
Jeanette joined BH&HPA in 1993, and has since provided the secretariat to the association in Scotland which comprises more than 200 park businesses. Jeanette also represents the parks industry to the Scottish government, Visit Scotland and many other tourism organisations as well as serving as an advisor and mentor to Scottish parks.
Chairman and director of BH&HPA Scotland, Colin Fraser, was amongst the many who paid tribute to Jeanette’s commitment and dedication to the parks industry. Colin remarked that Jeanette works with efficiency, charm and such kindness that she has become much loved by owners and managers of park businesses across Scotland.
Congratulations were also received from many owners of the 50-plus parks in membership of the Best of British group for which Jeanette works in a senior marketing consultancy position.
Her involvement with the consortium spans 14 years, and its chair Claire Jeavons said that Jeanette has played a massive and important role in raising the profile of the organisation. Jeanette’s invaluable input, said Claire, has helped BoB and its family-run member parks achieve widespread recognition for the high quality facilities and standards of hospitality they provide.
Jeanette confesses to have been "completely taken aback" by her MBE award, and says she feels very humbled by the honour and the many congratulations it triggered. Born and educated in Edinburgh, Jeanette holds a BA (Hons) in Business Organisation from the city’s Heriot-Watt University, and enjoys skiing, sailing and gardening in her leisure time.