UK: Vacation rental and holiday resorts company, Awaze, has confirmed the appointment of Paul Evans as its vice president – portfolio as it adds to its senior management team.
Evans joins the company, which owns travel brands including Hoseasons, Cottages.com Landal GreenParks, James Villa Holidays and Novasol, after 11 months working as a director of overseas development at Barbados-based luxury golf and beach resort, Royal Westmoreland. His previous experience in the UK holiday park industry includes a management role at Park Leisure 2000 and a 19-year stint at Waterside Holiday Group.
He will be responsible for directing Awaze’s UK property portfolio and takes over from Paul Hardingham, who recently took up a new role as managing director at Landal GreenParks.
Evans told Travel Weekly: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have joined Awaze UK at such an exciting time for UK holidays. Staycations have never been more popular and the standard of accommodation available has never been better.
“We have an incredibly talented team, a brilliant set of owner partners and a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase our product to the biggest possible audience – something that can create a long-lasting legacy for domestic tourism for many years to come,” he added.
Simon Altham, group chief commercial officer at Awaze UK, said: “We are delighted to have Paul onboard. We were looking for someone to join the team with a deep understanding of the UK holiday industry from the property owner’s perspective.
“Paul fits the bill perfectly given his years of experience in the holiday park and hospitality sectors, and you only have to talk to him for a few minutes to realise the passion he has for the industry runs through his veins,” he added.
The firm announced in January that it was set to create 75 new jobs at its Manchester headquarters, which opened at the start of October 2020, and was aiming to employ 100 new and existing employees in the first 12 months since the move. New roles were earmarked in technology, revenue management, marketing, commercial and legal positions.
Meanwhile, Awaze is currently on the lookout for a replacement for experienced UK sales director Sally Henry, who recently departed after 19 years to join next-generation urban lodging company Urban Hospitality Group as its head of strategic partnerships and distribution.
