Oliver Garner has been given the top job at both Classic Collection Holidays and Classic Package Holidays – launched by On the Beach earlier this year following its acquisition of Classic Collection.
Nick Munday, managing director of Classic Collection Holidays, will step down from his role, but continue to work with the business in a new capacity as an independent director. Both changes take effect immediately.
As part of its plans for growing the two businesses, Classic Collection Holidays also announces the expansion of its senior management team with the appointment of Alexandre Gavalda to director of product and supply, and Michelle Baillie to director of agency sales.
Garner has worked in the industry since 2001, having spent time at the likes of Tui, Thomas Cook and Expedia, prior to joining On the Beach in 2014 where he oversaw the business’s launch into Sweden and Norway as well as its acquisition of Sunshine.co.uk and Classic Collection.
He has continued to work closely with the Classic Collection team since it joined On the Beach Group last year, leading the development and launch of Classic Package Holidays.
Garner said: “It’s an incredibly exciting time to be part of the business. I look forward to continuing to build on the already excellent reputation that Classic Collection Holidays has within the industry and with its customers, and to leading Classic Package Holidays as it continues to grow and as we roll out to our travel agent partners across the UK.”
The announcement comes 12 months on from On the Beach’s acquisition of Classic Collection Holidays in August last year.
Munday added: “Having worked with Oliver over the last 12 months, I feel confident that he is very well placed to protect the hard work myself and the team have done to take Classic Collection to where it is today, whilst also seizing the opportunity we have to grow Classic Package Holidays into a market-leading B2B-only proposition. I look forward to continuing to work with him in the future.”
Gavalda joins from Vivid Travel where he was commercial director, previously working with Kuoni Group. He will be focused on expanding the portfolio of Classic Collection Holidays product.
Baillie was most recently with Thomas Cook as head of retail, and previously divisional sales manager for Tui UK & Ireland after beginning her career within a travel agency.
