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Audley announces revenue growth ahead of shift at the top
Tailormade luxury operator Audley Travel saw its revenue grow 16% to £242 million last year.
The operator, which did not reveal its profit or loss for the 12 months to the end of December, said ‘strong trading momentum’ continued into 2018 with Group revenue up 26% in the first quarter.
Audley announced yesterday that Ian Simkins, its CEO for the past six years, will move to take up a non-execuitve role at the company from January 1, 2019.
He will be replaced by former TUI Travel UK & Ireland MD Nick Longman, who will join as chief operating officer on September 10 before filling Simkin’s shoes from January 1 next year.
"I am delighted to welcome Nick to Audley Travel and to hand over what I feel is the best role in travel," said Simkins.
"I’m really proud of what the team and I have achieved since 2012, growing bookings five-fold, opening up new offices in Boston and London, increasing our quality scores whilst creating more and more unique travel experiences for our clients.
"It’s great to have Nick on board to build further on this success"
Chairman Richard Prosser added: "I am extremely pleased that Nick Longman is joining us as our new future CEO.~ His depth and breadth of experience, allied to his strong business acumen and ability to attract customers and build relationships between them and a brand, means that he is the ideal person to build on what we have achieved at Audley Travel and to continue to build on our success.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ian Simkins for his immense contribution to Audley Travel over the last seven years and I look forward to working with him in a different capacity moving forward."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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