Govan quits Portman Travel

"Strategic differences" cited

Bob Govan has quit Portman Travel, one of the largest independent travel management companies in the UK, over "strategic differences."

He will be replaced by Peter Jones as group director of sales and marketing.

A statement by the TMC said: "Portman Travel can confirm that, owing to strategic differences, it is finalising terms of separation with Bob Govan.

"Peter Jones has been appointed to be Group Director of Sales and Marketing. Peter is a very experienced manager, having a background of performing this role in various businesses including Reed Elsevier (Exhibitions), Procter & Gamble and Diageo amongst others."

Mr Govan was a senior figure at Portman and one of four members of its board of directors.

The others are Graham Flack, the ceo, David Canavan, the finance director and Michael Hare,  formerly managing director of Fleet Street Travel.

Fleet Street, which was purchased in February this year, was one of two UK independent TMCs which Portman has bought in the last two years.

The other was P&O Travel which it bought in November 2006.

The deals have made Portman a major player in the UK with an annual turnover of £400m, compared with £296m in 2007.

The TMC is also a leading member of the Radius Travel global network.

Portman, whose parent company is Portman Group holdings, has been backed by private equity company Vision Capital in its expansionist strategy.

At the time of the purchase of Fleet Street, Mr Flack said:  "The acquisition of Fleet Street Travel enhances our substantial influence in the UK travel management market at a time when we are increasing our presence on the global stage via an accelerated investment in Radius, the global TMC grouping.

"Taken together, these developments make us a bigger player both domestically and internationally.

"The acquisition of Fleet Street Travel is part of our strategy to grow the business both organically and through acquisition, cementing our position in the mid-market as the provider of smart travel management programmes supported by outstanding customer service."

He said the TMC which has offices in London and Glasgow, had a "substantial appetite" for further similar acquisitions.

www.portmantravel.com