Who got a new gig this week? Check out this week’s travel industry movers & shakers!
1. Timmer steps down from Insight Vacations
Insight Vacations is losing its Managing Director after Joost Timmer announced his departure from the Australian company.
Confirmed this morning, Timmer will official step down from the MD role on 15 January 2016 to pursue opportunities outside The Travel Corporation (TTC).
Having lead the company for over four years, Timmer oversaw the increasingly popularity of Insight Vacations’ ‘signature events’ – a unique collection of events designed to give customers more authentic experiences in various destinations.
2. Myrmell takes the wheel at P&O Cruises
A new year will bring in new leadership over at P&O Cruises as Sture Myrmell takes the reins from Ann Sherry.
The current Senior Vice President will step into the role of full-time President from Sherry on 1 January next year, who steps down after eight years.
Sherry’s departure comes after her appointment to Executive Chairman for Carnival Australia where she will continue to work closely with the Australian cruise line.
3. Three key executive roles filled at Etihad
Etihad Airways has made three appointments to key executive roles.
Captain Salah Alfarajalla, who has been with Etihad Airways since 2007, becomes Senior Vice President Security and National Pilot Development; Ghudayer Al Dhaheri, who joined the airline in 2013, becomes Vice President Corporate Security; and Sultan Mohamed Al Mahmoud joins the airline as Vice President Corporate Strategy.
Ray Gammell, Etihad Airways’ Chief People and Performance Officer, said the trio come from various backgrounds to help expand the “impressive executive management expertise we have in our team”.
In his new role, Captain Salah will be responsible for aviation and corporate security, and will continue to oversee the Etihad Airways’ cadet pilot programme.
Before joining Etihad Airways in 2013, Ghudayer Al Dhaheri was a UAE Air Force fighter pilot and commander with broad experience both in the UAE and overseas. He was a commandant at the Air Warfare Centre AFAD UAE, and a member of the Royal College of Defense Studies in London, UK. In his new role as Vice President Corporate Security, Ghudayer will report to Captain Salah and will provide strategic policy and management guidance for the implementation of protective and proactive security measures for staff, guests, facilities and other resources within the UAE and in other countries on the network.
Sultan Mohamed Al Mahmoud joins Etihad Airways from the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), where he held a number of director level roles which gave him exposure to various Abu Dhabi tourism development stakeholders.
4. New appointment at DriveAway Holidays
DriveAway Holidays announced that Ashleigh Robinson has been appointed as their new Marketing Partnerships Manager.
Ashleigh’s promotion continues the DriveAway push to promote from within.
Like Hamill did many years ago, Ashleigh started her career with DriveAway in reservations and brings a wealth of car rental and self-drive knowledge to her new role. Ashleigh’s experience is in self-drive covers reservations, operations, digital marketing and sales support.
Her earlier years in the Reservations Team Leader have given Ashleigh extensive knowledge of the DriveAway Holidays product and processes.
5. Mantra focuses on digital with Granfield
Matt Granfield has joined the Mantra Group Executive Committee as Executive Director – Digital, overseeing the Group’s e-commerce and digital strategy.
His appointment reflects the increasing focus on digital initiatives undertaken by the expanding Australian hotel group and retail focused companies both in tourism and other industries.
With over 15 years of digital and marketing experience, Matt was previously Head of Customer Marketing and Digital at Heritage Bank, and prior to that a partner and consultant with some of Australia’s best-known creative agencies working on both tourism and financial services brands.
Matt joins Mantra Group as a member of the Executive Committee reporting to Chief Financial Officer Steven Becker with recruitment currently underway for the other members in the newly created Digital team.