Josephides steps down as Sunvil MD
Noel Josephides has stepped down as managing director of Sunvil to take up the position of chairman.
Chris Wright, currently operations director, will replace Josephides as MD with immediate effect.
Josephides, who is currently campaigning to become the next ABTA chairman, said he will still play an active part in the business and will focus on researching new destinations and on his chairmanship at The Travel Foundation, as well as his work as a director of both ABTA and AITO and his chairmanship of the ABTA Membership Committee.
"I am as passionate as ever about Sunvil but the time has come to relinquish some of my responsibilities," said Josephides.
"Chris is exceptionally well-placed to move the business forward in this web-based travel age: he has a different skill set that is well-suited to the current challenges of the industry. Chris and I have worked alongside each other for many years – he knows Sunvil intimately and I’m absolutely confident that his transition into the role of MD will be a smooth one. I wish him every success."
Wright, who will take over all aspects of the day-to-day running of the business, has acted as Josephides’ right-hand man since his appointment to the Sunvil board in 2006. He has been with the group for over 15 years and was instrumental in overseeing the integration into Sunvil of specialist villa operator GIC The Villa Collection when it was acquired in 1998.
"I am thrilled to take on the role of managing director of Sunvil," he said. "As the business increases in complexity, just one of the things I will be looking to grow and improve is our online strategy."
John der Parthog, Josephides’ long-standing business partner and one of the original founders of Sunvil, 43 years ago, will relinquish his long-term role as chairman to become the company’s founder director.
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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