Event organiser Reed Exhibitions has appointed Claude Blanc to head up its WTM Portfolio division.
Blanc joins from Paris-based Travel & Co, a tour operating group he founding 11 years ago, which he has recently sold.
He said he had been looking for a new challenge as he did not want to retire.
Before that, he was digital travel director at TUI Group, and has held senior posts with a leading online travel agency in France; travel management company Rosenbluth International; and timeshare exchange company RCI.
He has also worked with successful French travel start-ups such as Karavel-Promovacances and Orchestra.
WTM Portfolio includes WTM London, Travel Forward, the International Travel and Tourism Awards, WTM Africa, Arabian Travel Market and WTM Latin America.
He said: "I joined WTM as portfolio director as I have sold my company and I felt too young to retire. I was looking for a new, exciting challenge, and I found it within Reed Travel Exhibitions.
"I have been working in the travel industry for almost 30 years, mostly in tour operating, but also in corporate travel, retail, hospitality and online travel agencies. Over the past 10 years, I have founded and run my own company, specialising in tailor-made trips around the world.
"Having been a sponsor, an exhibitor and a visitor at many travel trade shows, I bring a client perspective, an international network and a digital culture."
He added: "I would like to make WTM Portfolio the best business, brand and ‘brain booster’ marketplace for the travel industry."
