Travelport, the business services provider to the global travel industry, has named Simon Ferguson, a high profile leader in the UK travel industry, as its new regional director for the UK and Ireland.  With effect from 12 September, Ferguson will be responsible for continuing Travelport’s success in the region where it has recently grown its share of the GDS sector.  He will report into Jason Clarke, Travelport’s president and managing director for Europe and Brazil.

Ferguson joins Travelport from Travelzoo where he is currently general manager for its Destinations and Network business.  Before joining Travelzoo, Ferguson was chief executive of the Travel Weekly Group, one of the UK’s leading travel trade media groups.  In this role, which he held for 7 years, he led a management buy-out from former owner Reed Business Information (RBI) and was also responsible for launching online travel technology publication, Travolution.  Prior to this, he held a number of senior general management, sales and marketing roles in several high profile organisations in the UK media sector.

“Simon is a highly experienced general manager with an impressive track record in achieving the goals he sets his sights on,” commented Jason Clarke, president and managing director, Europe and Brazil for Travelport.

“I am certain that with his extensive knowledge of the UK travel industry and travel technology sector, combined with his business acumen and customer-centric approach, Simon will be able to take the Travelport business from strength to strength in this region. We are delighted to have been able to recruit such a high calibre successor to this important role," added Clarke.

Ferguson, who is to be based in the company’s GDS headquarters in Langley, Berkshire, commented: “Travelport is a dynamic organisation, and one which has played a pivotal role in shaping the travel distribution landscape. It is fantastic to be joining at a time when Travelport is reinforcing its leadership position in the UK and Ireland and launching some very innovative and leading-edge technology.”

The appointment follows the decision by current job holder, Jerome Moisan, to leave the business and pursue a career opportunity outside of the travel industry later in the year.