Opodo opts for Coltman
European online travel portal Opodo has turned to experienced airline executive David Coltman to take over as its chairman. One of his first tasks is to orchestrate the search for a new chief executive following the departure earlier this year of Giovanni Bisignani to lead IATA after Pierre Jeanniot's retirement.
Opodo hopes to make this announcement shortly, but until then its chief financial officer Simon Tucker will assume the role. He has been with the portal since its conception in early 2001.
Coltman has a long airline track record, having spent 14 years with British Airways, followed by a spell as chief executive of British Caledonian before it was bought by BA, and then six years as chief marketing officer at United Airlines until 2001.
His other positions currently include a directorship at UK company John Menzies, where he has advised it particularly on its expansion into the ground handling market. He also served as a non-executive director at British Regional Air Lines Group until that airline was bought by BA last year.
Mark Pilling London
Source: Airline Business
