Ex-GB Airways marketing head joins rail operator
Former GB Airways head of marketing and communications Alex Roberts has joined escorted rail tours operator Great Rail Journeys.
He becomes marketing and sales director working alongside managing director Steve Kimber, commercial director David Gaster, financial director Martin Johnson, operations director Keith Clarke and IT director Mark Taylor on the senior management team.
In the newly created role, he will have responsibility for planning and directing the sales and marketing strategy for Great Rail Journeys.
Roberts has held marketing and product roles for the Libra Holiday Group, Sovereign Holidays, the First Choice Group and its subsidiary Eclipse Direct.
Kimber said: “Alex’s experience in delivering commercially successful marketing strategies will be a considerable asset to Great Rail Journeys.
“We now have a very strong management team in place to take the business forward and make the next step up in capacity and earnings.
“His appointment will help us to achieve our vision of doubling the size of our business by the end of 2010.â€
Great Rail Journeys’ annual turnover is expected to exceed £50 million this year, while employee numbers at its headquarters in York have more than doubled in the last 24 months.
Roberts said: “Rail holidays harness one of the most environmentally-friendly means of transport and the new high speed rail links, stretching from the recently opened St Pancras International right across the Continent, offer many fascinating opportunities for the business and our customers.’’
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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