Tom Nutley, Managing Director and founder of Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) ten years ago, is to become the company’s first Chairman.

He is succeeded by Reed Exhibitions UK Divisional Director, Mike Allsopp. The appointments which will officially take effect in February 2003, are part of an overall strategic development to strengthen the management structure of RTE.

The company has experienced phenomenal success and growth since 1992 and is the world’s leading business to business organiser of major international, regional and sector exhibitions and events for the travel and tourism industry worldwide.

RTE is currently responsible for 13 exhibitions, including World Travel Market - its flagship. “RTE has built its reputation on providing the global industry with the kind of pioneering and critical dynamics such as new technology, customer relationship programmes and year-round support that has helped our customers build and improve their own businesses for profit” said Nutley.

“Our quality customer service has been an enduring focus. “We have gained unprecedented experience and brought together highly talented, innovative and creative teams. It is a source of pride to me that our competitors often copy our ideas.

“Mike Allsopp’s appointment means that we can continue to build on success in the next phase of RTE’s planned development. We are a large, flourishing and diverse group and his broad experience of managing all aspects of exhibitions will be an extremely valuable addition to our management expertise.”

In his new role, Tom Nutley will continue to be responsible for the overall strategic direction and development of RTE as well as its primary spokesman. In addition to his new role at RTE, he will continue his many other industry interests.

This includes his chairmanship of the European Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ETTFA), and his Memberships of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the Industry Council for PATA Worldwide (Pacific Asia Travel Association), the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) and SITE (Society of Incentive & Travel Executives).

Mr. Allsopp will manage the day-to-day running of the business, ensuring that the appropriate systems, processes and resources are put in place to meet further anticipated development of the company.

Aged 48, Mr. Allsopp has spent most of his career in exhibition management, covering a wide spectrum of business sectors including wine, property, construction equipment, publishing and design. He has worked on every aspect of exhibition organisation from sales and marketing to general management.

He is currently a Board Director of Reed Exhibitions UK He joined Reed Exhibitions UK in 1995 as an Exhibition Director and is presently responsible for the overall management of 14 industrial, IT and communications events. On joining RTE he will continue to be based in Richmond, London.

“I am greatly looking forward to joining RTE in the New Year”, said Mr. Allsopp. “RTE is an undoubted industry leader with an unprecedented record of very successful growth, driven by professionalism and innovation.’’

“My role is to underpin this growth by ensuring that, through our systems, processes and people, RTE will continue to provide the highest levels of service that the industry has come to expect. A strengthened management team will also be better placed to continue to blaze a trail on behalf of the international travel and tourism industry and to take advantage of the opportunities that will present themselves in the future.”