Paul Tilstone, sales and marketing director of P&O Travel, has been appointed the new executive director of the Institute of Travel Management for the UK and Ireland (ITM)
Mr Tilstone, 37, has worked in the travel industry for 16 years. He succeeds Loraine Holdcroft who left ITM earlier this year to join the Hotel Booking Agents Association as executive director.
He has previously worked for Thomson, Uniglobe, Portman Travel and Statesman Travel. He joined P&O in 2003. He takes up his new role in August.
After his appointment, which has been rumoured in the industry for several weeks, Mr Tilstone said: “I am passionate about this industry and its people. It is very exciting to be part of such a competitive and fast changing climate, but despite the incredible changes over the last few years, I believe that there is still a long way to go.
“I am particularly looking forward to building on the local networks and looking at new opportunities for the organisation. I'm also very fortunate that Loraine Holdcroft has left such a superb legacy to build upon.”
Tom Stone, chairman of ITM, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to attract someone of Paul's calibre to this post. He brings with him an excellent understanding of the goals the industry needs to achieve and a desire to ensure that more people recognise the value that membership of ITM can bring to business travel buyers, managers and suppliers in the UK & Ireland.
“ITM has a very bright future. Now that Paul is on board, we can drive the Association forward once more, and will continue to concentrate on delivering benefits that satisfy our members' requirements for increased knowledge, networking and career development."