Distinguished alumni
John Dunford
BSc Economics and Accounting 1981
Chief Executive, Bourne Leisure
John was awarded with a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013 for his outstanding leadership and ability to motivate others.
John started his career as a trainee accountant, eventually becoming a partner in the London office of Ernst & Young. One of his clients was Bourne Leisure and he enjoyed working with them so much he jumped at the chance when offered a senior role in the company.
Now Chief Executive of Bourne Leisure, he leads a group whose main trading companies are Haven Leisure, Butlins and Warner Leisure Hotels.
Bourne Leisure is one of the UK’s top leisure businesses and has been providing affordable, high quality holidays for millions of families since the 1960s. The group employs 12,000 staff working across 52 holiday sites and is headquartered in Hemel Hempstead.
Under John’s leadership, Bourne has continued to grow through a clear focus on the guest experience and engaging its team members.