Kumar Muthalagappan has been appointed to the Board of the British Tourist Authority. The appointment took effect form 1 March 2002 for a period of four years. He succeeds Patrick McKenna.

BTA chair, David Quarmby, said: 'Kumar will bring a regional perspective to the board, together with direct personal experience of the hospitality business which we will greatly value.'

Kumar Muthalagappan is managing director of the Pearl Hotels and Restaurants Group and a chartered accountant. Since September 2000, Muthalagappan has also been a director of the Heart of England Tourist Board, and, since March 2001, a director of the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry.