Managing director of the Global Travel Group Dave Clayton is to leave the business to become chief executive of price comparison site Icelolly.
Clayton, who has worked at Global for eleven years, was part of team who turned around Stella Travel Services under the leadership of Stella Group chief executive Andrew Botterill. A replacement has not yet been announced.
Clayton said: “I leave the business in good shape and with a great team of dedicated, talented people. Over the last four years, Global has concentrated on building its own range of products which are directly contracted through the Stella Travel Services buying team.
“This makes us unique in the consortia space as others are still totally reliant on third party tour operators or bedbanks. Just as most tour operators want to sell the majority of their own products with third party agents fillings the gaps, agents must do the same giving them control of product and pricing and using third party suppliers to enhance their offering. I have been extremely fortunate to work with a great senior team at Stella Travel Services and thank them for all of their help and support.”
Clayton added: “Icelolly.com is one of the leading holiday price comparison sites in the UK, and the brand is becoming better known every day with the extensive media and TV coverage it receives. I am delighted to take on a new challenge and make the most of the massive technological advances that are just around the corner.”
Andrew Botterill, chief executive of Stella Travel Services UK, added: “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Dave for his dedication to the Global brand during the past eleven years and for the significant contribution he has made to the success of both his own brand and Stella Travel Services UK. Dave will be actively involved with the appointment of his successor before he leaves the business in December. I would also like to wish Dave every success for the future.”