Dave Bishop takes over from Ed Berrevoets as managing director of VCK Travel, the Netherlands-based TMC acquired by the Gray Dawes Group earlier this year
Travel management company Gray Dawes has appointed Dave Bishop managing director of VCK Travel, the Netherlands-based TMC it acquired at the turn of the year.
Gray Dawes' chief operating officer Bishop takes over from VCK Travel's Ed Berrevoets who steps down as managing director as of 1 May. He will continue to support the company until he retires at the end of June.
Gray Dawes said in a statement that Berrevoets has "made a lasting impression" on VCK Travel after leading the company for nearly 20 years, building it into a "leading player in the fields of business travel, marine travel and government travel".
"We are excited to chart a new course together with Gray Dawes, and we are confident that Dave Bishop will successfully lead the company in this next phase," said Berrevoets.
Bishop has more than 25 years of executive experience in finance, sales and technology, joining Gray Dawes from travel tech provider Atriis in 2018.
"We are immensely grateful to Ed for his dedication, vision and leadership during his tenure," said Bishop. "I now look forward to a seamless transition of VCK into the Gray Dawes Group, a successful next phase for our Netherlands operation and an exciting future for our European clients."
Ed Berrevoets has stepped down as managing director after nearly 20 years leading VCK Travel. He will
continue to support the company until retiring at the end of June
Gray Dawes Group CEO Suzanne Horner added: "Gray Dawes' expansion into Europe is incredibly exciting. It represents the next step in our global growth plan and closes the circle on our unique service delivery strategy."
Announced in January, Gray Dawes' acquisition of VCK Travel nearly doubled the size of the UK-based TMC, taking its turnover beyond £500 million and employee numbers worldwide to nearly 500.
Gray Dawes was ranked the 18th largest TMC in Europe last year with €263.8 million in gross sales in 2022 but with the acquisition of VCK is now closing in on the continent’s top ten biggest players.
VCK, which has four offices in the Netherlands, will rebrand to Gray Dawes in "due time", the company said in January.