TROUBLED Advantage Travel Centres is facing further turmoil following the resignation of commercial director Neil Armorgie.
Armorgie will join Air Miles as supplier management director at the end of April – less than three weeks before Advantage’s annual conference in Tunisia.
His departure could not come at a worse time for the consortium after a turbulent 18 months culminating in the resignation of managing director Ron Muir and the collapse of the franchise.
President Roger Smith is now planning meetings across the UK to reassure members that it is still in good shape.
Armorgie, who joined Advantage in 1994, admitted the timing ‘sucks’ but stressed it is unrelated to recent events.
“I was approached by Air Miles a few months ago and it was too good to turn down,” he said. “But there is a good team at Advantage. It will not collapse.”
Smith also denied Armorgie was disillusioned with events at Advantage. But he added: “I can’t say it did not have an influence but it was an excellent offer from Air Miles.”
Smith will now be under intense pressure to rebuild members’ confidence during next week’s meetings and at the conference.
“Advantage was seen as the Ron and Neil show but we have a fine team who can shine in Tunisia,” insisted Smith.
The consortium will now step up its search to fill the void left by Armorgie’s departure.
Smith has spoken to number of possible replacements but a decision is not expected for at least a month.