Citation lures LateRooms’ Morris as new CEO
CHRIS Morris is swapping hotels for red tape after leaving TUI Travel and its Manchester-based subsidiary LateRooms.com for private equity-backed Citation.
The appointment is a major coup for Citation, which has just sold a stake to private equity firm ECI. Mr Morris is seen as one of the brightest young executives in the North West and rose through the ranks at travel giant TUI to become MD of its business to consumer division after its 2006acquisition of LateRooms.
ECI knows his skills well – the private equity house backed LateRooms in a £20m+ deal in 2004.
Citation chairman, Andrew Vaughan, said:” board are delighted that we have been able to secure Chris Morris as CEO. Chris has done an incredible job at building the LateRooms.com brand over the years and is a well respected professional. The board are looking forward to working with Chris and his contribution to Citation’s future.”
Chris Morris said: “It is an exciting time to be joining Citation as CEO. I am confident we can take Citation to the next level for both client acquisition and customer service. Citation has remained resilient during tough market conditions and is perfectly positioned for future growth. I can’t wait to get started.”
Chris will join the board alongside finance director Julie Moran, Richard Chapman from ECI Partners and Mr Vaughan.
