Riches to leave Youtravel

Youtravel’s UK sales and marketing director Paul Riches is leaving the company next month as part of a “reshuffle” at the group.

Riches, who joined Youtravel when it started in 2006, is leaving by mutual consent. Former Teletext Holidays managing director Matt Cheevers, who is currently development director, will move to the new role of group UK and international sales and marketing director.

In a statement, group managing director Graham Nichols said: “Paul has contributed greatly to Youtravel and its successes in the past few years. We’d like to thank him for his energy and enthusiasm, and of course wish him every success in the future.”

One of Riches’ last roles in the job was to present an award at the TravelMole industry awards last night, where he was cheered onto the stage.

Youtravel said it was planning to expand internationally over the next 12 months after almost doubling profits to €1.5m to October 2010.

Nichols said the company wanted to extend its product reach to “key mid and long-haul destinations”.

National sales manager Liz Garfield has been promoted to UK head of sales.

By Linsey McNeill