AITO ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Martyn Sumners (pictured above) to take on role at AITO, The Specialist Travel Association, in early March 2019.

A replacement for outgoing Executive Director Kate Kenward has been announced by AITO.  The role will be taken by Martyn Sumners, who ran the Association of British Travel Organisers to France (ABTOF) for seven years until 2013, and who has since worked as an event management consultant and a corporate training provider specialising in business negotiation skills for large corporate organisations.

Says Derek Moore, Chairman of AITO: “We had a number of strong contenders for the role of Executive Director, but Martyn Sumners’ previous experience with ABTOF meant that he understood AITO’s requirements as a consumer-facing travel trade association particularly well. He’s also worked for AITO member companies in the past, including Keycamp and Serenity Holidays, which gives him a rounded perspective from the member side of the fence, which we see as a key added bonus.

“Martyn will be coming on board with AITO as soon as possible, in early March, shortly before Kate Kenward’s departure.

“In the meantime, a management committee – John Tangney, Chris Rowles and I – with the back-up of our experienced AITO HQ team of Bharat Gadhoke, Pam Hersey, Yvonne Kinder, Sunny Singh and Tom Doyle, will keep things moving forward smoothly as we plan the forthcoming year and assist our members to face the challenges of Brexit.

“We look forward very much to welcoming Martyn Sumners to AITO shortly, and hope to introduce him to members at our Annual General Meeting, on 27^th February.”

Press:  For further information on AITO, the Specialist Travel Association, please visit www.aito.com or contact Travel PR (Sue Ockwell or Jackie Franklin) on 020 8891 4440 or 07831 126 356, email s.ockwell@travelpr.co.uk or j.franklin@travelpr.co.uk.