On the move

For Andy Loynes, (35) from Bury, who was Sale-based Club Travel 2000's external PR consultant, has joined the company to become its group marketing manager.

It's a new role created as part of the operator's ongoing expansion of its sales and marketing team.

Previously, Andy worked for Prestwich marketing communications consultancy Appleby Bowers where for the past five years he was PR director.

In his new position, he will report to newly-installed marketing director Philip Firth.

Andy's brief will be to assist in the creation and implementation of marketing and sales support initiatives for Club Travel 2000's independent retail partners. The firm is keen to adopt a more pro-active approach to its travel agency support function in order to maintain impressive sales growth.

Since a management buy-out in 1996, the company has seen its Civil Aviation Authority licensed capacity soar from 48,000 to more than 200,000.

Andy (35), who lives in Bury, has a long track record as an external marketing adviser to the travel industry which began in 1992 when he handled the PR account of Bolton-based Sunset Holidays.

Wigan coach operator Shearings and its Leeds rival Wallace Arnold are among travel firms he has represented over the years.

He has represented Club Travel 2000 since June last year and was responsible for devising and implementing the firm's current PR strategy.

Commenting on his new appointment, Andy said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for me.

"Club Travel 2000 is enjoying extraordinary growth and in many ways reminds me of Sunset Holidays in its independent days."

He added: "There is a strong management vision which is geared to demand led expansion of its programmes and a high level of commitment to its retail trade partners.

"I am very lucky to be joining at the point of lift-off," he concluded.