Stewart Baird is to leave his role as sales director of Virgin Holidays and step down from the ABTA board.
Baird is to join venture capital fund Bridges Ventures, which focuses on the leisure and travel sectors. He said: “I will be looking at providing finance for new start-up businesses, providing growth capital and helping with management buyouts.
“I’ve had a very successful seven years at Virgin Holidays, working on launching specialist projects such as Travel City Direct and Virgin Holidays Cruises. This new role will allow me to do more of this.”
Baird will be replaced at Virgin Holidays by Chris Roe, who has been promoted from general manager for sales and distribution.Managing director Amanda Wills said: “I am delighted to welcome Chris to the Virgin Holidays’ leadership team, where he will continue with our strategy of working with key partners in the trade.
She added: “After seven excellent and memory-filled years, I wish Stewart successful times ahead in his new ventures.”
The company is also set to relaunch its trade-specific website, vhols4agents.com, with features including late-deal checker ‘Valerie’, the online customer service agent, and interactive map options.
The Federation of Tour Operators is expected to vote for a new member for the ABTA board this week, as a replacement for Baird.