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Former Ice boss joins John Donnelly travel consultancy

Ex-Ice Europe chief operating officer Warren Joy is to work with industry entrepreneur John Donnelly at his specialist travel business consultancy

As a senior partner and shareholder in JDA, Joy will work alongside Donnelly advising clients in the travel sector on a range of business areas including finance, strategic planning, change management, distribution and sales and marketing.

Joy was previously responsible for leading Ice’s European operations covering 18 different countries across Europe, Africa and India.

During his time with the company, Ice expanded its direct consumer business with the acquisition of a number of cruise brands including 1st4cruising, Ideal Cruising and Voyana Cruises.

Since forming JDA in 2010, Donnelly has brought in Melvyn Taylor, a senior IT management and travel software specialist with more than 25 years in the sector, and Geoff Hurmson, who has over 40 years experience in the travel industry having previously overseen the strategic and financial operations of a £100 million business.

The consultancy has worked at a strategic level with a number of travel businesses including Ice Europe, Affordable Car Hire, hotelshopUK and Everywhere Travel. Non-travel clients include AGS Accountants, EZE Group and Ugroup Financial.

Specialist travel arm JDA Travel focuses on building sales through rewards, recognition programmes and third party distribution direct to tour operators, airlines and other holiday/lifestyle companies.

Clients have access to a substantial opted in consumer database and the business is supported by Emma Joyce in marketing and Maria Mills, responsible for call centre fulfilment and co-ordinating a team of home workers.

Donnelly said: “Warren is a quality operator who comes with a strong background across finance, strategic planning and marketing. His experience will be invaluable as we look to grow the consultancy by advising travel industry clients on how best to position and develop their businesses in what is a highly competitive sector.”

Joy said: “I’ve known John for a number of years and really respect the way JDA is able to think differently by bringing entrepreneurial flair to the challenges faced by its clients. Our skills are very complementary and I’m really looking forward to working alongside John to develop our service offering and build the client base.”

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