Tui Travel UK’s education division, representing more than 30 brands worldwide, is being geared up for further growth.
Paul Hawkes has been promoted to the newly created role of chief operating officer of the division, part of Tui’s activity sector.
Previously the student divisional finance director, he will have responsibility for the financial performance of the business and evaluation of business opportunities, the company said.
Additionally, Andrew Bullen will become divisional financial director and Craig Weller the divisional financial controller, moving from previous roles within the group.
The UK and North American education divisions were previously run separately. But due to growth in the education sector, all the global brands have been consolidated under a single management structure.
The new structure is divided into four groups – UK schools, European individuals, language travel and North American student. There are 40 offices worldwide covering school expeditions, sport, ski, activity, education, gap and experiential travel.
“The chief operating officer role has been created in recognition of the importance of consolidating the education division businesses and identifying and delivering upon opportunities to continue to deliver organic growth,” Tui said.
Hawkes said: “The education division has an incredible portfolio of businesses with substantial opportunities for growth.
“The plan now is to maximise portfolio positioning, drive brand awareness and ultimately attract new consumers by capitalising on the trend for more learning outside the classroom”.
The cumulative annual growth rate of profit across the division is more than 70% since 2007 and is expected to grow further as the division develops driven by a combination of acquisitions and organic contributions, said Tui.