Having worked in the industry since 2001, Oliver Garner has spent time at the likes of TUI, Thomas Cook and Expedia, prior to joining On the Beach in 2014 where he oversaw the business’ launch into Sweden and Norway as well as its acquisition of Sunshine.co.uk and Classic Collection Holidays.
Oliver Garner has been appointed CEO of both Classic Collection Holidays and Classic Package Holidays – the online agent-only booking portal launched by On the Beach earlier this year. Nick Munday, Managing Director of Classic Collection Holidays, will step down from his role, but continue to work with the business in a new capacity as Independent Director. Both changes take effect immediately.
Having worked in the industry since 2001, Garner has spent time at the likes of TUI, Thomas Cook and Expedia, prior to joining On the Beach in 2014 where he oversaw the business’ launch into Sweden and Norway as well as its acquisition of Sunshine.co.uk and Classic Collection Holidays. He has continued to work closely with the Classic Collection team since it joined On the Beach Group plc last year, leading the development and launch of Classic Package Holidays. With a background that spans the fields of both tour operator and online travel agent, he brings with him a breadth of experience within the travel industry that will allow him to take both the Classic Collection and Classic Package Holidays businesses forwards,
Garner said, “It’s an incredibly exciting time to be part of the business. I look forward to continuing to build on the already excellent reputation that Classic Collection Holidays has within the industry and with its customers, and to leading Classic Package Holidays as it continues to grow and as we rollout to our travel agent partners across the UK.”
The announcement comes 12 months on from On the Beach’s acquisition of Classic Collection Holidays in August last year. Munday, who purchased Classic Collection in 2002, will step down as MD, but take on an Independent Director role in which he will work in an advisory capacity to support the business’ future success.
Munday said, “Having worked with Oliver over the last 12 months, I feel confident that he is very well placed to protect the hard work myself and the team have done to take Classic Collection to where it is today, whilst also seizing the opportunity we have to grow Classic Package Holidays into a market-leading B2B-only proposition. I look forward to continuing to work with him in the future”
As part of its plans for growing the two businesses, Classic Collection Holidays also announces the expansion of its senior management team with the appointment of Alexandre Gavalda to Director of Product and Supply, and Michelle Baillie to Director of Agency Sales.
Gavalda joins from Vivid Travel where he was Commercial Director, previously working with Kuoni Group. He will be focused on expanding the portfolio of Classic Collection Holidays product.
Baillie – who was most recently with Thomas Cook as Head of Retail, and previously Divisional Sales Manager for TUI UK & Ireland after beginning her career within a travel agency – brings extensive experience from right across the industry and will be joining to head up the Agency Sales team.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
