James Parkhouse
Travel management company Take2Eton Group has appointed former Agiito boss James Parkhouse as its new chief executive officer.
UK-based Take2Eton Group, which was formed following Take Two’s acquisition of fellow TMC Eton Travel Group in early 2022, said that Parkhouse will take over from current CEO Chris Thelen who will become chairman of the group and remain “heavily involved” in the business.
Parkhouse, who left Agiito in April 2023, will join Take2Eton on 4 November as the group expands its leadership team. Julie Cope, who co-founded TakeTwo with Thelen in 2021, will continue in her role of chief operating officer.
Thelen said: “I am very proud of how much Julie and I have achieved since we began this journey with the launch of TakeTwo three years ago.
“However, to drive further growth and success as Take2Eton Group, we needed to bring additional support and leadership to the business. I am excited that James is joining us as CEO to help us achieve that vision. Not only does he have exceptional experience but he is also a great fit for us in terms of our company culture.”
Thelen added that he remained “totally committed” to Take2Eton in his new role as the group’s chairman where he will focus on “strategic client acquisition and customer relationships”.
“I look forward to driving our growth through new business development in Europe and the US, as well as focusing on relationships with current key clients,” he said.
Parkhouse had been CEO of Agiito – and Capita Travel & Events under its previous brand – for more than 15 years. He left the business a few months before it was acquired by Clarity in November 2023 and has been working as an independent consultant. He has also recently served as a non-executive board director at Focus Travel Partnership, a role from which he has resigned ahead of joining Take2Eton.
“I am delighted to be invited to join Take2Eton as global CEO and to work with Chris and the team on taking a unique market proposition to the next level,” said Parkhouse.
“I have long admired the knowledge, expertise, and ambition that the company has and can’t wait to use my industry and leadership experience to drive the business to future success.”
Take2Eton was ranked as the UK’s 22nd largest TMC in BTN Europe’s list of the Europe’s Leading TMCs 2024 with gross sales of £62.5 million last year.