Barrass left his role as dnata Travel senior vice-president last month and will take up his new role with The Appointment Group in August.

The HolidayTaxis Group board has also approved the appointments of Ian Coyle as chief executive and Rebecca Cain deputy chief executive.

Chairman Brendan Breslin said Coyle and Cain’s respective promotions reflected their “outstanding contribution and leadership”.

On Barrass, Breslin added: “The addition of Steve Barrass to our board brings one of the travel industry’s outstanding individuals to help guide our future development and growth of the company.

“His knowledge and experience will be a significant factor in this aim and I am delighted to welcome him.”

Barrass, a previous Gold Medal chief executive, was announced as The Appointment Group’s new chief executive last week and brings “30 years international travel experience and relationships”.

He will take charge of company, which was shortlisted for Top Business Travel Agency at this year’s TTG Top 50 Travel Agencies, as its Manchester office prepares to relocate to new, larger premises following a period of “rapid growth”.

A TAG spokesperson said Barrass’s immediate priority would be to understand the workings of the group and make recommendations to streamline and improve processes.

TAG has developed six specialist business units since its launch in 1988 by John Gianquitto and Maurice Veronique: corporate travel; touring; events; private clients; film and media; and sports.

It has offices in London, Manchester, Los Angeles, Nashville, Atlanta, New York, Singapore, Melbourne and Sydney.

“In just four years, we have seen TAG’s Manchester operation expand by more than 400% to 30 employees,” said Jodie Edwards-Locke, TAG UK managing director.

“To accommodate this continued expansion, our prestigious new office will provide our staff with a greatly improved working environment, ensuring TAG retains excellent people.”