Stephanie Peacock has been confirmed as UK Tourism Minister, taking over the responsibilities previously held by Sir Chris Bryant.
Stephanie was appointed on 11 September, five days after Sir Chris was appointed Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade.
The former Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray, appeared to have secured the Tourism brief with his move to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. However, Stephanie, who has been Minister for Sport, Media, Civil Society and Youth since 9 July 2024, has now handed over the Media brief to Ian and been given the Tourism brief instead. Ian’s full title is Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts.
Stephanie, now Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth, was elected to serve as the Member of Parliament for Barnsley East in 2017 and has represented Barnsley South since 2024. A qualified teacher, she taught History in a secondary school before working in adult education across Yorkshire.
Joss Croft OBE, CEO of UKinbound, said: “Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment for our industry, as the UK Government prepares to launch its new tourism strategy.”
The Business of Events Director of News & Content, Mike Fletcher, said: “Events and business tourism will play a significant role in helping the Government to achieve its strategic tourism ambitions. We look forward to working with Stephanie alongside the APPG for Events to deliver our seven policy initiatives and ensure continuity of focus on the UK’s £61.6 billion events economy as an effective lever to drive investment, jobs, tourism, and growth across the regions.
“We’d like to thank Sir Chris Bryant for his active engagement and appreciation of the value and importance of events to UK economic success. It’s experience we trust will serve him well in his new role at DBT.”