Holidaybreak promotes education unit boss as CEO

HOLIDAYBREAK, the North West leisure group, has named the boss of its education division as its new chief executive.

The Northwich company has been without a chief executive since last July after the sudden departure of Carl Michel, but has chosen 49-year-old Martin Davies for the role.

When Mr Davies takes over on April 19, former House of Fraser boss John Coleman, who has been filling-in as CEO, will revert to being non-executive chairman.

Holidaybreak’s education division accounted for 26% of revenues last year and includes school holiday market leader PGL.

Mr Davies joined PGL in 2004 as chief executive, led a management buyout a year later and then played a key role in its sale to Holidaybreak in June 2007.
He will combine his new role with his existing position.

Executive chairman John Coleman, said: “As the head of our education division Martin has led its recent strong growth and education remains at the heart of our growth plans for the group.

“Also, as an existing member of the plc board, he already has an in depth knowledge of the group’s other divisions and has developed excellent working relationships with the divisional management teams.”

Mr Davies said: “As group chief executive, I am now looking forward to the broader challenge of working  with John and the rest of the management to maximise the opportunities available to all of  the group’s businesses.”