Holidaybreak has promoted education division boss Martin Davies to head the company as group chief executive.
Davies (49) takes up the role on April 19 and executive chairman John Coleman will revert to the role of non-executive chairman.
The education division accounted for more than a quarter of the company’s sales last year.
He will also remain managing director of the division.
Davies joined PGL, market leader in the residential, outdoor education and adventure sector for UK primary schools, as chief executive in 2004 and went on to lead and MBO the following year.
He subsequently led the sale of PGL to Holidaybreak in 2007, following which he was appointed managing director of the education division and became a member of the board.
The education division has grown both organically and with the acquisitions of NST and EST.
PGL has purchased two new outdoor education centres at Windmill Hill and Liddington, which opens tomorrow.
Coleman said: “I am delighted that Martin has agreed to become group chief executive.
“As the head of our education division he has led its recent strong growth and education remains at the heart of our growth plans for the group.
“Also, as an existing member of the plc board, he already has an in depth knowledge of the group’s other divisions and has developed excellent working relationships with the divisional management teams.”
Davies said: “Since joining Holidaybreak in 2007, the group has provided a strong platform for growth for the education division. ”
“As group chief executive, I am now looking forward to the broader challenge of working with John and the rest of the management to maximise the opportunities available to all of the group’s businesses.”
by Phil Davies
