Travelsphere boss Ian Smith to stand down as chief executive

Ian Smith is to stand down as Travelsphere and Just You group chief executive.

New owners G Adventures confirmed that Smith will remain as chairman but relinquish his chief executive role as the group appoints Alastair Campbell as managing director of the escorted touring brands.

Campbell co-founded coach tour operators in Scotland and Ireland which were later sold to The Travel Corporation in 2001.

He continued at The Travel Corporation until 2014, during which time he was managing director of Busabout Europe and Contiki Holidays.

Campbell said: “It is a really exciting time to join Travelsphere and Just You and the future is looking incredibly bright for both brands.

“We are now working hard to grow the business and reinforce our commitment to both the travel trade and our loyal customers.”

The sister brands were bought from administrators Grant Thornton in January after the failure of former parent company All Leisure Group, where Smith was chief executive.

Smith moved across as part of the pre-pack sale of the tour operator brands, which saved 200 jobs at the company’s Market Harborough head offices.

He was previously chief executive of high street travel agency chain Lunn Poly before becoming executive director of Thomson Travel Group, a position held held for 11 years from 1989.