The decision to change its articles of association was made at a general meeting held at its offices today. A total of 13% of Abta membership voted on the motion.

The process where each member gets a vote in deciding the next chairman will be replaced by a process which will see only board members vote on the position.

A statement released by the association said: “This aims to maintain the effective and efficient operation of the board by ensuring that it is chaired by a person who has the full support and confidence of the board and who meets the criteria for the chairman of Abta as laid down by the board from time to time.”

Previous to the change, anyone wishing to stand for chairman had to have the backing of two board members.

The resolution was one of three passed at the meeting with the first concerning the board’s handling of conflicts of interest while the second updates various provision in the articles of association in line with current company law practice

A fourth resolution to remove the territorial restriction on membership of ABTA narrowly failed to achieve the 75% approval rating required for it to be passed.  

Had it been passed, it would have allowed companies from outside of the UK to join the association.