Holiday Extras appoints heavyweight fresh blood to board including Badoo, Expedia and Virgin executives

A man who helped grow dating app Badoo, a former head of digital at Virgin and an ex-director at Expedia are among fresh blood joining the board of a booking company for airport hotel and parking.

Holiday Extras has made five heavyweight appointments to brand new positions in its leadership team as it aims to double in size within five years.

The Hythe-based company, which employs 930 people, makes arrangements for seven million holidaymakers a year, sorting airport hotels, parking, lounges, rail and coach travel, destination car hire and holiday insurance.

Holiday Extras has appointed Andrew Parker as chief data officer
Holiday Extras has appointed Andrew Parker as chief data officer

In the newly-created roles, the £390 million turnover firm has appointed Andrew Parker as chief data officer, Andy Britcliffe as technology director, David Norris as chief operating officer, Alex Hunter as interim chief marketing officer.

Last year, it hired Ian Copley to the new job of customer director.

Chief data officer Mr Parker helped take Badoo, which has 333 million users, from a start-up to one of the largest technology companies by profit in Europe.

Technology director Mr Britcliffe joins after roles as chief technology officer at Quill Content and sports spread betting business Sporting Index.

Holiday Extras has appointed David Norris as chief operating officer
Holiday Extras has appointed David Norris as chief operating officer
Holiday Extras has appointed Ian Copley as customer director
Holiday Extras has appointed Ian Copley as customer director
Holiday Extras employs 930 people
Holiday Extras employs 930 people

Chief operating officer Mr Norris if a former website director at Expedia, while interim chief marketing officer Mr Hunter was global head of digital for the Virgin Group. He presents online travel show Attaché.

In recent years, Holiday Extras has enjoyed some major milestones, including a record sales day generating £2 million and featuring in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For list for the 10th straight year.

Its plans to expand across Europe from its hubs in the UK and Germany.

Chief executive Matthew Pack said: “This is the largest single investment that we have ever made in the senior team, bringing with it new thinking and the opportunity to ease autonomous working throughout the business under a clear senior structure.

Holiday Extras has appointed Andy Britcliffe as technology director
Holiday Extras has appointed Andy Britcliffe as technology director

“It energises the way we look to the future, helping to deliver better travel experiences for our customers via products, service and unbeatable prices.

“Each new colleague brings a wealth of experience and expertise to their role, allowing them to challenge, inspire and complement the award-winning team already in place and helping us to collectively create further successes.”

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