Holiday Extras, Airparks, Short Breaks and Holiday Extras Germany will become distinct units within the Holiday Extras group, headed by a chief executive promoted internally.
Founder Gerry Pack is stepping down from his role as non-executive chairman to focus on other interests, and a new post of executive chairman will be filled by current chief executive, Steve Lawrence.
Holiday Extras said Lawrence was ‘perfectly placed’ to help the four new chief executive grow their businesses, having been with the company for fifteen years, including the last five in his current role.
The new chief executive at Holiday Extras will be Matthew Pack, formerly its web and marketing director. He will be responsible for the core Holiday Extras business of airport parking, airport hotels, holiday insurance and airport lounges.
Sales and operations director Howard Dove, meanwhile, becomes chief executive of Airparks, the biggest provider of off-airport parking in the UK.
Simon Hagger has been named chief executive for Short Breaks, whose brands include Play and Stay and Show and Stay. The business is the primary operator of UK and German short break contracts for Europe’s leading visitor attractions operator Merlin Entertainments.
Finally, Holiday Extras’ Continental operation, based in Germany, will be headed by Martin Pundt, who was originally managing director and now also becomes chief executive.
Holiday Extras said the restructure, effective December, would create career opportunities among the company’s 1,000-strong team, in addition to new roles.
Lawrence commented: ‘The UK has seen a 15% downturn in travellers using its airports during the current recession. By focusing on the customer and through hard work, determination and technical innovation we have grown bookings by 4%.’
See also:
Holiday Extras signs TC deal (14/08/2009)
Click adds airport parking to one-stop travel shop (21/07/2009)
Business Travel Extras wins Gray Dawes contract (17/07/2009)