Paul Gilbert, Chief Executive Officer

Paul was appointed CEO of Education Travel Group CEO in August 2008, having been CEO of Kingswood since 2005. Paul spent almost 9 years at Kingswood including 4 years during the 1980s. A qualified teacher, Paul was also owner and Managing Director of a Telecommunications and Human Resources Consultancy in New Zealand.

Nigel Wright, Managing Director (Tours & Winter Sports)

Nigel joined The Education Travel Group in January 2010 as Managing Director of the Tours and Winter Sports division. Nigel has worked in the travel industry since qualifying as a Chartered Accountant holding a variety of senior roles. He was one of the founders of Sunworld Travel which grew rapidly and was sold to Thomas Cook and has also held the position of Managing Director of Cosmos Holidays as well as senior roles within TUI and Thomas Cook. Prior to joining the Group he was an investor in and Commercial Director at Thames Clippers, London’s fast ferry service playing a key part in the sale to a large US corporate.

Linda Addy, Managing Director (Kingswood)

Linda joined The Education Travel Group in September 2010 as Managing Director for Kingswood. Linda has spent the last 23 years working for the UK’s No1 Travel Company latterly at a senior strategic and operational level of the business. Linda comes with extensive management experience, proven ability to build, lead and motivate teams to deliver strategy and growth and is accomplished in leading and delivering change, operational efficiencies and spearheading projects

John Bentley, Group Finance Director

Ian Smith Non-Executive Board Member

Ian has been with Education Travel Group since its creation in 2008. He brings over 20 years experience as Director and Chairman for a range of travel companies. Between 1989 -1999 Ian was Managing Director of Lunn Poly and Board Director of Thomson Travel Group Plc. During this time Ian also worked as Executive Chairman of Crystal International, Thomson Breakaway and Austravel for a number of years. In 2001 Ian became Chairman and Managing Partner of Sun Villas Florida Direct where he stayed for 4 years. Since 2007 Ian has been Chairman of ET-China.com, Southern China’s largest leisure travel operator.

Completing the Board are two non-executive Directors from Credit Suisse’s DLJ Merchant Banking Partners fund:

• Colin Taylor
• Maximilian Hofert

They provide guidance and support in the development of our strategies.