Tim Russell, Managing Director Amadeus Australia and New Zealand, appointed head of Amadeus UK
Sydney, 12 May, 2009: Amadeus, a leading global technology and distribution partner and the largest supplier of technology to the Australian and New Zealand travel and tourism industry, confirmed today that Tim Russell, after four and a half years in the role of Managing Director, Amadeus Australia and New Zealand, has decided to pursue a new opportunity in the role of Managing Director Amadeus UK & Ireland in the very near future. He will replace Stephane Durand, current Managing Director of Amadeus UK & Ireland, who will be moving to a new role for Amadeus IT Group as Director Leisure & Online, based in Nice. 
Until a successor is appointed and a successful transition has taken place, Tim will remain engaged with and fully committed to developing the Amadeus business in Australia and New Zealand in his current position as managing director. For Amadeus customers in Australia and New Zealand it will be business as usual, as the company continues its strategy of deploying advanced travel technology and delivering first class customer service. The process to select Tim's successor is already under way and Amadeus will communicate further details as and when they are available.
As Managing Director for Amadeus Australia and New Zealand based in Sydney, Russell was responsible for all aspects of Amadeus' interests in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. During his tenure, Amadeus has become market leader in New Zealand and has grown market share significantly in Australia. Key milestones include the signature of key travel agency accounts, strategic partnerships with local providers and airlines, with the objective of better servicing the travel agency community, the expansion of Amadeus’ corporate distribution business and a stream of product innovations especially in the online arena.
“I am happy to have had the opportunity to see Amadeus grow substantially in the region over the past four and a half years” says Tim Russell, Managing Director Amadeus IT Pacific, “and I am confident that Amadeus will continue leveraging on the long term relationships that we have built up with some of the industry’s leading business partners.”
Notes to the editors
About Amadeus
Amadeus is the chosen technology partner for providers, sellers, and buyers of travel. The company provides distribution, IT and point-of-sale solutions to help its customers adapt, grow and succeed in the fast changing travel industry. Customer groups include travel providers (airlines, hotels, car rental companies, railway companies, ferry lines, cruise lines, insurance companies and tour operators), travel sellers (travel agencies) and travel buyers (corporations and travellers). Solutions are grouped in four solution categories – Distribution & Content, Sales & e-Commerce, Business Management and Services & Consulting.
Amadeus has central sites in Madrid (corporate headquarters & marketing), Nice (development) and Erding (Operations – data processing centre) and regional offices in Miami, Buenos Aires and Bangkok. At market level, Amadeus maintains customer operations through 69 local Amadeus Commercial Organisations covering 217 markets.
The company is majority owned by WAM Acquisition, whose shareholders are BC Partners, Cinven, Air France, Iberia and Lufthansa. Amadeus employs over 8,500 employees worldwide, representing 105 nationalities.
More information about Amadeus is available at: http://www.au.amadeus.com
