Stark joined First Choice in the late 1980s where he worked for some 20 years. In 2009, he went on to direct operations at former Travel 2 parent Stella Travel Services, which was later acquired by dnata.
From 2012, Stark headed up the dnata-owned Global Travel Group consortium. He left the business following its acquisition by The Travel Network Group, completed in January 2021.
He leaves wife Eleanor and son Josh.
Stark’s friends and former colleagues paid warm tribute to him on Tuesday (1 February), remembering his kindness, humour and broad smile.
Andy Freeth, chief executive of JG Travel Group, worked with Stark at Gold Medal and Travel 2, and during his time with Global. "We’ve been really close mates for a long time," he told TTG.
"He was the most genuine, caring, generous, considerate, warm, kind-hearted man. His smile lit up a room. His energy was just fantastic.
"I know people say this a lot, but Andy was just one of the good guys. He will be missed by a lot of people. He was a really good bloke who has gone too young."
Freeth added Stark hadn’t been feeling well after Christmas before receiving an aggressive cancer diagnosis. He died at home "surrounded by his family and the people who care about him", Freeth added.
Not Just Travel chief of staff Cherie Hotchkiss was director of commercial at Global Travel Group while Stark was managing director. "He was my boss," she told TTG. "But more importantly, he was my friend.
"We spent so many working days with each other, and you grow very close to the people you work with. He was always a good listener, somebody with whom to share what’s going on. He was a great boss.
"I have had so many messages from Global members over the past few days, they showed he was a really well-loved man. I’ve been sharing some messages with Andy’s wife so she could read them out to him, and she sent me a message back when she read my message to Andy and told me he had a tear in his eye and a smile on his face."
’Larger than life’
Ailsa Pollard, chief executive of dnata Travel Group, said the whole dnata Travel Group family was saddened to hear of Stark’s passing.
"His leadership, industry knowledge and humour were all highly valued during his time with us, first of all with Stella Travel Services and since 2012 as managing director of the Global Travel Group.
"Our sympathies are with his family and everyone across the industry who had the pleasure of knowing him."
Darren Bond worked for Global for more than 10 years, latterly as head of membership and development. He said during his time with the consortium, Stark was always very supportive, keen to add value for members, and "larger than life" at events.
"He was very generous and always had time to help agents and colleagues," said Bond. ’We will all miss his huge smile, kindness and level-headed advice, usually accompanied by his infectious sense of humour."
G Adventures managing director Brian Young wrote on Twitter, accompanied by a picture of Stark: "I will miss this cheeky smile. A true friend and colleague [during] our days back in Corfu together and in the UK. So many memories, such a sad loss. He was for sure one of the good guys. [My] thoughts are with his wife and son. Will miss you, mate."
