On the Beach finance chief to retire
On the Beach chief financial officer Wendy Parry will retire in January after almost seven years with the company.
She will be succeeded by Paul Meehan, currently director at Gala Coral Interactive (Gibraltar), which is part of the the betting chain Ladbrokes Coral Group.
The online travel agency said ‘a full transition and induction plan is in place’ and that Parry has agreed to be available for as long as required ‘to ensure a smooth and orderly handover’.
"Wendy’s retirement and Paul’s appointment are the result of a carefully planned and thorough succession planning and recruitment exercise, overseen by the Nomination Committee in anticipation of Wendy’s retirement plans," said the firm in a statement.
Meehan joined Gala Interactive as finance director in April 2012, as part of a new management team, re-launching an online gaming business in Gibraltar.
The business launched three new online gaming sites, taking the largest brand to be UK market leader. In November 2014, Gala Coral’s two businesses in Gibraltar were integrated, with Meehan made finance director of the combined business.
More recently, Meehan was director responsible for the interactive planning and integration aspects of the merger between Gala Coral Group Limited and Ladbrokes plc.
Meehan previously held positions in a number of businesses in the UK, including online, gaming and technology businesses, a number of which were private equity backed.
On the Beach chief executive Simon Cooper said: "I am delighted that Paul has agreed to join On the Beach as chief financial officer.
"He is an excellent cultural fit for the business and his skills, knowledge and experience will be invaluable as the Group continues on its strong growth trajectory in both the UK and internationally.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Wendy for all of her hard work and support since she joined On the Beach in 2010. Wendy has been incredibly important to the Group’s success, not least helping to deliver our successful IPO in September 2015. I wish Wendy all the best for her retirement."
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
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025