09
November
2021
|
11:10
Europe/Amsterdam

Simon Applebaum appointed new Gold Medal Managing Director

London, UK, 9 November 2021 - Simon Applebaum has been appointed the new Managing Director of Gold Medal, the UK’s biggest trade-only tour operator. He will start on 30th November 2021, leading the team at the brand’s headquarters in Leyland, Lancashire, and across the UK.

Applebaum brings extensive senior travel industry experience across both the B2B and B2C sectors. Prior to holding senior roles in an award-winning health technology business, he spent 10 years at Thomas Cook and the leading tours, attraction and activities broker Attraction World Group, where he was MD until 2020. At AWG, he delivered consecutive annual record revenue and the company’s highest gross margin whilst repositioning the brands and product to align with evolving customer trends.

Commenting on his appointment, dnata Travel Group’s CEO (UK & Europe), Ailsa Pollard, says:

“Simon’s energy, ideas and track record in efficiently leading large and complex businesses is very impressive. He is very effective in managing high performance teams, and innovating across technology, product and operations to deliver against challenging strategic objectives. He is also well-known and well-respected across the trade, and will be a great asset as Gold Medal continues its mission to support its valued trade partners.

“I’m looking forward to watching him apply all his expertise and leadership abilities to Gold Medal as it continues its recovery from the pandemic and reinforces its position as the UK’s leading trade-only long-haul tour operator.”

Simon Applebaum comments: “Gold Medal is a powerhouse in the UK trade, with its record of success driven by an outstanding team and the unrivalled relationship it has with agents. My main objective is to ensure I’m supporting them in maintaining the current recovery trajectory through Peaks and in to next year, and that recent innovations in product and technology continue to ensure Gold Medal is making the lives of agents better, and facilitate their efforts to market and sell holidays.”

Lisa McAuley, the outgoing Gold Medal Managing Director, will stay on in a part-time capacity until the end of the year to ensure a smooth handover.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

PR Contact for dnata Travel Group:

Name: Phil Bloomfield

Tel: 07763 113 243

Email: phil.bloomfield@dnata.com

About dnata Travel Group:

dnata Travel Group

The dnata Travel Group represents the travel division of dnata, one of the world’s largest air services providers. Part of The Emirates Group, the group’s history is rooted in Dubai and the growth of its pioneering travel industry, evolving to consist of more than 40 leading international travel brands with coverage across the world. The dnata Travel Group is proud to serve its global customers as a leading, award-winning travel services provider with long-standing travel expertise, a wide range of products and services, and high standards of service and safety across all of its operations. Its global businesses cover all aspects of the travel industry from local travel agencies, to global travel consolidators, corporate travel, sports travel, destination management and attractions, airline representation services, and more.