Riviera Travel has announced Phil Hullah as its new CEO, effective 2 March 2020.

He will succeed David Clemson, who will stay with the business as a shareholder and non-executive director.

Hullah said: “I am honoured and delighted to be taking over as CEO. It’s a pleasure to be working with Rivera’s fantastic team of passionate staff. It’s a very exciting time for the business as we expand across all our product lines and continue to improve the customer experience. I look forward to working with the team to build on everything that has been achieved in recent years.”

Hullah joined Riviera in October 2019 as COO. He has a “wealth” of senior leadership experience in consumer-facing businesses. Most recently he was deputy chairman of AVADO, an international digital education business, which he led as CEO from 2010 to 2018.

Prior to being CEO of AVADO, Phil was managing director of Laithwaites Wine and commercial director of John Lewis.

David Clemson joined Riviera in 2008 and has been “instrumental” in driving Riviera’s transformation. During this period, Riviera has recorded several achievements, including increased revenues and a maintained track record of 35 years of unbroken revenue growth; introduced and built an agency sales channel, and launched new holiday types.

It also also won numerous awards including the Which? Travel Brand of the Year in 2017 and Which? recommendations in each of the last 7 years.

Clemson said: “It’s been a huge privilege to lead Riviera. I am deeply grateful to Riviera’s fantastic team, its founder Michael Wright and the Board for their tireless commitment to the business.

“I would like to thank our loyal customers and channel partners for continuing to put their trust in us year after year. Having worked with Phil over the last few months, I am confident that the business will thrive under his leadership.”

To find out more about Riviera travel, visit rivieratravel.co.uk.