B2B wholesaler and Destination Management Company (DMC) AC Group has undergone a management shake up to create focused regional divisions.
The restructure has been carried out to ensure the company has the right infrastructure for its rapid growth.
The wholesale operator claimed a 37.5% increase in revenue last year over 2017 and boosted staff numbers by 88% to service a growing customer base.
The firm, which acquired MW Tours and French Travel Partners in 2017, has created a purchasing department to support its travel suppliers and expanded its London base.
Former UK and Ireland head of contracting Stuart Gamm has been promoted to director of purchasing to lead the new department, with responsibility for all global buying.
Regional heads have been created throughout the group’s destinations with Cecile Gomes promoted to lead contracting for France, Benelux, Spain and Portugal, and Lee Florence for the US.
Alice Hye has been promoted to senior services contracts manager.
Thomas Marcial and Maia Dimitrova will focus on developing the company’s group tours business into the US.
Joint CEO Malcolm Lindop said: “We have taken the decision to strengthen the buying team in preparation for a bumper year and increased demand from all markets.
“By bringing the teams into a single unit we can provide a more seamless and efficient service that we can scale quicker.”
Fellow joint CEO Rob Russell added: “We have rewarded our hardworking team for their outstanding contributions to the rapid growth and success of their regions to date and now they are tasked with taking their respective divisions on to the next level.
“We are undergoing phenomenal growth and the addition of another floor at Millbank Tower visually demonstrates how we’re going from strength to strength.”
The firm is continuing to recruit for all sections of the business in 2019, including positions in contracting, customer service and tour co-ordination, both in UK and for offices in the European Union and US.
Lindop said: “The overall strategy for purchasing and product for the next three years is based on developing the three strands of business – online, tours, luxe.
“We will be establishing our presence in Benelux while developing offerings for Iberia over the next two years.
“Even where we are established, we are working hard to develop each destination further and to focus purchasing power through the brands.”