A look back at Summer 2024 & the game changers

So, as the summer draws to a close, Euros long finished, Olympics done - the football season and Para-Olympics now started, and as the sun starts to set a little earlier each evening, it feels like a good time to reflect upon the past few months and assess who’s been hiring in the travel industry and any potential “game changers”.

?

Let’s start with the cruise sector - there being some big changes at the top of the Royal Caribbean Group, with EMEA boss Ben Bouldin heading east to become President China (that’s RCCL as opposed to The People Republic!) . Ben’s been a popular and effective leader in the UK over many years, so he will be missed, but what an exciting challenge for him in Asia. The less well known Gerard Nolan moves across from sister brand Celebrity Cruises into Ben’s old role. They are big shoes to fill, but we know Gerard here at GKER, and have no doubt that he is more than capable to continue to drive this business forward. ?Gerard has been with the group for nearly nine years and the man from Ireland will have been well prepared for this promotion.

?

Celebrity Cruises also had big boots to fill when industry legend Jo Rzymowska stepped down earlier in the summer after nearly 20 years. In stepped Giles Hawke who is well known and well respected in the UK trade - and has plenty of experience of working for US cruise lines, so a smart appointment made there.

?

In the more niche sector of expedition cruises, French cruise line Ponant appointed another well known industry face with Anthony Daniels stepping in as UK & Ireland General Manager.

?

Staying in the luxury sector, but of the non-floating variety, recently acquired Simpson Travel promoted the very capable Ed Pyke to MD, and Ed recently brought in Dan Butler as CFO, and Mark Speight as Operations Director. Simpson Travel operate a big portfolio of villas, so with Dan having being at James Villas, there's clearly plenty of relevant experience there, but probably more importantly, Dan has experience of working for a PE backed business - which is what Simpson Travel now are. The PE backers, Risk Capital, have also recruited the dynamic Paul Carter as Chair.

?

Private equity has also invested in the ?special interest business, Martin Randall Travel - and the investors Piper, have brought in Peter Liney as Chair. Peter is hugely experienced as an NED and will bring lots of value to this super niche and highly respected brand.

?

Our final featured game changer of the summer is Andy Furlong who takes over as MD of DNATA owned, Travelbag. This will be Andy’s first MD role, but he is ready for the step up and brings with him formidable experience in travel marketing and digital. ?

We hope you have all had a wonderful summer and send our very best wishes, as we look forward to the next season across our industry.

Ian Brooks, Co-Founder & Director August 2024