The latest industry appointments

Phil Delaney is now director of sales and distribution at Flybe, heading up its corporate sales team. Delaney will be responsible for the airline’s business customer and trade partners. He joins from Trainline.com where he held several roles in the last 10 years, most recently business development director, retail solutions.

Sue Jarvis has joined SuperBreak as finance director. Jarvis will be based in York and responsible for the finance function overseeing a team of 10. She joins from Barrhead Travel where Jarvis was commercial finance director, previously holding various commercial and finance roles at Hays Travel for 11 years.

Ashley Close has appointed in the newly-created role of insurance partnerships lead at Holiday Extras. Close started the new role late last year and has been working for Holiday Extras as a business developer since 2009. He will now work to grow its insurance business. 

John Dick has been announced as operations director at Portman Travel. Dick has worked with Portman for more than 25 years in various roles, most recently as SVP operations. In the newly-created operations director role he will be responsible for its offline and online operations, supplier relations, conference, events and executive services.

Philipp Weghmann has been promoted to executive vice president of Europe for Preferred Hotel Group. Weghmann has been area managing director of Latin America and the Caribbean for the firm in the last three years, where he helped grow awareness and build the portfolio with properties from Banyan Tree and Las Americas Hotels.

Ronnie Orr has been named resort director at Highbullen Hotel, Golf & Country Club. Orr joined the team in November and has been focused on developing the guest experience following continued renovations. He joins from the Vineyard Group where he had been operations director since 2010.

Bill Hanfrey has been appointed senior sales manager at Traveldoo. Hanfrey will be responsible for new bsiness revenue in the travel and expense environment and also manage key accounts. He joins with 20 years in travel and technology including time with CWT, BCD and GetThere.

Stefan Pichler has officially become the new chief executive offer of airberlin, following his move from Fiji Airways. Pichler starts work this week having initially been appointed in November 2014. He managed Fiji Airways through its recent rebranding from Air Pacific, and previously worked with Virgin Blue.

Pat Byrne has returned to the board of CityJet, now as chairman. Byrne founded the airline in 1993 and was chief executive for seven years until it was sold to Air France. He returns as chairman replacing Peter Oncken, who will remain on the board. Jeremy Barnes, CEO of Falko has also joined the board.

Linda Celestino has been named as Etihad Airways‘ new vice president of guest services. Ms Celestino has more than 25 years’ airline industry experience, having held senior positions in Australia and the Middle East. Most recently she was general manager of in-flight services & product at Oman Air.