SANDALS Resorts former managing director worldwide markets Chris May has replaced Matthew Whalley as managing director of First Choice-owned Hayes and Jarvis.
Whalley has moved to the new role of long-haul business development director and will focus on developing the company’s product and distribution strategy, reporting to May.
Whalley claimed he was happy with his job change, saying the team needed to expand to cope with the operator’s strategy for massive growth. “We are number two behind Kuoni but the gap is too wide,” he said. “There is a huge amount of work to be done and it needs the talent of a good team,” he added.
May, a former MD of Airtours-owned Tradewinds, declined to reveal further details of the operator’s plans at this stage and refused to comment about any further long-haul acquisitions by First Choice.
May, who quit Sandals after only 10 months, will report to managing director of specialist businesses Kevin Ivie.