Former Thomas Cook head of product and overseas delivery Teresa Nicholson has joined stag and hen holiday specialist Red 7 Holidays.
Nicholson, who is better known in the trade by her maiden name Walsh, has taken up the role of managing director with immediate effect.
Nicholson previously held the role of managing director of Club 18-30, Escapades and The Big Reunion while at Cook.
Ian Lucas, founder and chief executive of Red7 Holidays, said: “This is a significant appointment for us and we are delighted Teresa has joined Red 7 Holidays.
“We have successfully utilised the last few years of recession to build a solid platform from which to start our next exciting growth plan and business vision for the future.
“I am pleased to announce that time has now come to start that plan. Teresa brings with her vast expertise of the mature youth market and has the skills and experience to take us to the next phase of our development.”
Red 7 Holidays was established in 1997 and is based in Brighton, with offices in Marbella, Spain. The company currently employs around 30 staff.
Nicholson said: “The move to Red 7 Holidays is a fantastic and exciting opportunity. It has established the foundations of a very successful business which has great potential for further growth.
“Using my background in the youth market and the wider travel industry we intend to accelerate our share of a market which has strong growth potential.”
Nicholson added forging closer links with the trade will play a key role in the company’s growth plans.
“Red 7 Holidays already has strong links with the trade but we intend this to be increased over the coming 12 months and beyond.” she added.
According to the Office of National Statistics, the 23 to 30-year-old market is set to grow by 8.2% to 7.4 million people by 2015 of which 34% take a holiday each year.
Nicholson said: “My experience with online travel agents, bedbanks and youth travel has allowed me to see an opportunity to make the Red 7 brand the clear market leader in the fast developing market for 24-40 year olds, who still want to party but maybe not for the full duration of their holiday.
“Red 7 Holidays’ proposition isn’t only aimed at groups of guys or girls. The kind of holidays experiences we offer appeal to young couples and friends too so that will be a key area of focus for us in the future.
“These holidaymakers are currently left to source and package components online which can be a difficult and confusing. Red 7 Holidays can not only provide assistance in packaging these components but give customers complete peace of mind with full financial protection.
“The Red 7 team is experienced in navigating an already extensive product range with an array of destinations and clubbing experiences to fit every budget and taste.”