Cheevers to leave Youtravel in management shake-up
Youtravel has announced a further management shake-up, which will lead to the departure of UK managing director Matt Cheevers who took up the role just seven months ago.
Founder and chief executive John Kent said he was going to be more involved in the day-to-day running of the business, so the position of managing director would be dissolved.
He announced the management changes along with the news that the accommodation-only specialist had secured new funding from existing Abu Dhabi shareholders to accelerate its growth.
Kent said he would be actively involved in the sales strategy and implementation, leading the sales team together with head of UK sales Hannah Wheeler and head of commercial Liz Garfield.
David Howell will stay on as group managing director, focusing mainly on finance and investments.
"This new funding will enable us to continue to offer our trade customers excellent prices and availability across a unique range of resort hotels throughout the Mediterranean and beyond. We are committed to the UK trade and my team and I look forward to a strong year ahead with our partners."
Kent said it had been agreed that Cheevers would leave the company at the end of this week. He will be the third senior executive to leave Youtravel in a little over six months. Sales and marketing director Paul Riches left last August along with former group MD Graham Nichols.
"I would like to thank Matt for his contribution over the past 15 months. He leaves with my very best wishes for the future." added Kent.
Neil Bowen will expand his role in the group’s UK sister company, Aquis Hotels and Resorts, and will become a Board Director in Youtravel.com, overseeing the company’s core functions. Bowen will co-operate closely with Kim Deller, Youtravel.com head of operations.
"The restructuring is aligned to three main priorities – to ensure speed and accuracy in decision-making, to enhance sales strategy and implementation and to strengthen the existing business and develop new capabilities," added Kent.
"We will continue to make changes as necessary in order to best meet today’s and future market demanding needs."
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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